Scientific Investigation February 2026 SOL Review Quick Check

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10 Nsɛmmisa

1 - Scientific Investigation

Scientific investigation is all about exploring questions and finding answers by thinking like a scientist. When scientists investigate, they use skills like observing (noticing details with their senses), making inferences (drawing conclusions based on what they see), and predicting (making educated guesses about what might happen). They also follow steps known as the scientific method, which helps them keep their experiments organized and fair.

Person thinking with question marks

Hypothesis

Hypothesis definition: A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question. It must be testable and is written as 'If..., then...'

the IV…

the DV…

Variables

Definition of variables: independent, dependent, and constants

What I change.

The data we collect!

What I keep the same.

Types of Data

Qualitative and quantitative data definitions and examples

Qualities or how things look.

Colored number blocks representing quantities

Quantities or numbers

Your memory strategy goes here:

Blank note for memory strategy

Match the variable type to its definition.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Dependent variable		What I keep the same throughout testing.
Independent variable		The data we collect from changes.
Controlled variables		What I change in the experiment.

Metrics

Scientists collect data using the International System of Units (SI), a.k.a. the metric system. This table summarizes important facts about measuring with SI units.

Measurement	SI Unit	Abbreviation	Measuring Instrument
length	meter	m	Metric ruler
mass	gram	g	Balance (triple beam balance or electronic)
volume (liquid)	liter	L	Graduated cylinder
volume (solid)	Centimeter cubed	cm$^3$	Ruler or graduated cylinder
density	Grams per centimeter cubed	g/cm$^3$	Balance and measuring device for volume
weight	Newton	N	Spring scale
temperature	Degrees Celsius or Kelvin	$^\circ$C, K	Thermometer
time	second	Sec or s	Clock or stopwatch

You can easily convert from one metric unit to another using the “ladder method.”

Diagram of the ladder method for converting between metric units, showing kilo, hecto, deka, base unit, deci, centi, and milli steps and arrows for moving the decimal point.

Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is an easy way to write and compare very large and very small numbers, including measurements.

Examples of writing 500, 7,700,000,000, and 0.0000000086 in scientific notation.

Match each SI unit to its corresponding measuring instrument.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
meter		Graduated cylinder
gram		Metric ruler
liter		Balance

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Hypothesis		Qualities or how things look in observation.
Quantitative data		An educated guess about the experiment's results.
Qualitative data		Quantities or numbers collected during experimentation.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Making inferences		Noticing details with senses for investigation.
Predicting		Drawing conclusions based on observations made.
Making observations		Guessing what might happen in the experiment.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Hypothesis		Qualities or how things look in observation.
Quantitative data		An educated guess about the experiment's results.
Qualitative data		Quantities or numbers collected during experimentation.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Making inferences		Noticing details with senses for investigation.
Predicting		Drawing conclusions based on observations made.
Making observations		Guessing what might happen in the experiment.

Scientific Investigation February 2026 SOL Review Quick Check

1 - Scientific Investigation

Hypothesis

Variables

Types of Data

Match the variable type to its definition.

Metrics

Scientific Notation

Match each SI unit to its corresponding measuring instrument.

1 - Scientific Investigation

Hypothesis

Variables

Types of Data

What is the purpose of the scientific method?

What is an inference?

Which type of data describes qualities or appearance?

Match the variable type to its definition.

Match the terms to their descriptions.

Match the investigation steps to their purposes.

Metrics

Scientific Notation

Match each SI unit to its corresponding measuring instrument.

Match each measurement type to its correct SI unit.

Match each unit abbreviation to its actual measurement type.

Identify the numbers given in scientific notation:

What is the purpose of the scientific method?

What is an inference?

Which type of data describes qualities or appearance?

Match the terms to their descriptions.

Match the investigation steps to their purposes.

Match each measurement type to its correct SI unit.

Match each unit abbreviation to its actual measurement type.

Identify the numbers given in scientific notation:

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
volume (solid)		Degrees Celsius
weight		Centimeter cubed
temperature		Newton