Scientific Method
Decide whether each statement is an observation or an inference.
The boy is in the water.
The tree branch is broken.
If the boy got out of the pool, the dog would push him back in.
The dog is standing by the pool.
The branch will fall on the boy's head.
There is a boat in the water.
The boat belongs to the boy.
The boy will get out of the water soon.
The tree has no leaves.
There are 3 rocks by the pool.
The tree by the pool is dead.
If it rains, the tree will grow.
The dog pushed the boy into the pool.
The boy is having fun.
Observation
Inference
Decide whether each statement is an observation or an inference.
The bell is ringing
The flower has red petals.
The boy is crying, so I think he is sad.
The dog is going to burp.
There is a lot of red in the painting, so the artist must have been mad.
The cell phone is ringing.
The quiz is going to be easy.
The dog has 3 legs.
The kids who are smiling are happy.
My mom is angry.
All my homework is done.
The cat has its eyes closed so it must be dead.
The cat is on the table.
Observation
Inference
Q: What week of the year has the most flowers blooming?
H: The second week in May has the most number of flowers blooming.
Procedure: Counts the number of flowers she sees on different types of plants. She records data every week. What is her independent variable?
Q: What week of the year has the most flowers blooming?
H: The second week in May has the most number of flowers blooming.
Procedure: Counts the number of flowers she sees on different types of plants. She records data every week. What is her dependent variable?
Q: What week of the year has the most flowers blooming?
H: The second week in May has the most number of flowers blooming.
Procedure: Counts the number of flowers she sees on different types of plants. She records data every week. What are her controls?
Q: Which type of water makes plants grow best?
Hypothesis: Regular water will make the plants grow best.
Procedure: You water some plants with 4 different types of water (salt water, regular water, sugar water and distilled water). After a two-week period, the height of the plants is measured.
What is your independent variable?