Question

study guide for exam #1
1.what is the difference between scientific method and cers?

1. “if an overweight dog receives exercise, then it will lose weight” is known as what? (hint: it is a step in the scientific method.)
2. information gathered to learn more about the problem or question is known as a _.
3. an explanation of what your data means in written and graph form is called the _.
4. the step by step procedure designed to test your hypothesis is called the _.
5. explain the differences between independent variable and dependent variable.
6. explain the differences between a control group and a constant.
7. why are constants important in scientific experiments?
8. explain the differences between scientific theories and scientific law.

Explanation:

1. The scientific method is a general process for conducting scientific investigations with steps like observation, hypothesis - formation, experimentation, etc. CERs (Claim - Evidence - Reasoning) is a framework for constructing scientific explanations. The scientific method is about the overall process of discovery, while CERs is about presenting findings.
2. This statement is a hypothesis, which is a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation in the scientific method.
3. Information gathered to learn more about a problem or question is called data.
4. An explanation of what data means in written and graph form is called an analysis.
5. The step - by - step procedure designed to test a hypothesis is called an experiment.
6. An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in an experiment, which is 'dependent' on the independent variable.
7. A control group is a group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being tested and is used as a benchmark to measure the effects of the treatment. A constant is a factor that does not change during an experiment. The control group is a group of subjects, while a constant is a non - changing factor in the experimental setup.
8. Constants are important in scientific experiments because they help ensure that any changes in the dependent variable are due to the manipulation of the independent variable and not other factors.
9. A scientific theory is a well - substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. A scientific law is a statement that describes an observed phenomenon, often in the form of a mathematical equation. Theories explain why something happens, while laws describe what happens.

Answer:

1. The scientific method is an overall investigative process; CERs is for constructing explanations.
2. Hypothesis
3. Data
4. Analysis
5. Experiment
6. Independent variable is manipulated; dependent variable is measured and depends on the independent one.
7. Control group is a subject group; constant is a non - changing factor.
8. To isolate the effect of the independent variable.
9. Theories explain 'why'; laws describe 'what'.