Preview - Animal Behavior Lab (Isopods)

Scientific Terminology

In this page, you will learn about scientific terminology.

Questions

Please answer the questions below.

In science, how do we define hypothesis? What is the difference between a prediction and a hypothesis?

A scientific hypothesis has two important qualities. The first is that it is testable. The second is that it is falsifiable (can be proven wrong).

Look at the image above. Use it to write a hypothesis using the "If ... then ... " format.

What is a controlled experiment?

Variables are manipulated or measured in an experiment. An independent variable is one that is manipulated by the scientist; it is what is being tested in an experiment.   A dependent variable is measured or observed (typically the data that is collected in an experiment).  A change in the dependent variable will show that the independent variable had a direct effect or at least a causal relationship.

The independent variable in the plant experiment above is:

The dependent variable in the plant experiment above is:

A negative control group is a control group that is not exposed to the experimental treatment or to any other treatment that is expected to have an effect.

If you are testing for effects of different quantities of a soluble bio-fertilizer, what would be your negative control?

Notes

These notes will appear on every page in this lesson so feel free to put anything here you'd like to keep track of.