C165 Integrated Physical Sciences
Scientific Inquiry, Force and Motion
(Lessons 1-4) Note-Taking Guide
COMPLETE NEW UPDATED 2025
Western Governors University
,1
Scientific Inquiry, Force and Motion (Lessons 1-4) Note-Taking Guide
Using what you learn in Section 1: Lessons 1-4, take notes on key
concepts by answering the following prompts in your own words.
1. Describe the main methods of science.
1. Controlled experiments:
a. Description: Controlled experiments involve manipulating one or more
variables under controlled conditions to observe the effect on another
variable. This method allows scientists to establish cause-and-effect
relationships.
b. Example: A classic example is Mendel's experiments with pea plants. He
controlled the breeding of pea plants to study the inheritance of traits and
establish the laws of heredity.
2. Observational :
studies
a. Description: Observational studies involve observing and analyzing
phenomena as they occur naturally, without any intervention or
manipulation by the researcher.
b. Example: Jane Goodall's research on chimpanzee behavior in the wild is a
famous example of an observational study. She observed chimpanzees in
their natural habitat without interfering with their behavior to understand
their social structure and interactions.
3. Field :
studies
a. Description: Field studies involve conducting research in real-world
settings outside of a controlled laboratory environment. Researchers
collect data directly from the field.
b. Example: Ecologists studying the behavior of migratory birds may conduct
field studies by tracking bird movements across different habitats and
seasons to understand their migration patterns and behavior.
4. Laboratory :
studies
,2
a. Description: Laboratory studies involve conducting experiments or
research within a controlled environment, typically a laboratory, where
variables can be precisely controlled and manipulated.
b. Example: Psychologists conducting experiments on memory might use
laboratory studies where participants are presented with stimuli under
controlled conditions to measure their recall or recognition accuracy.
▪ Essential Vocabulary
Independent variable :
▪ Definition: The independent variable is the factor that is deliberately
manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment. It is the
variable assumed to cause changes in the dependent variable.
▪ Example: In a study investigating the effect of different fertilizer types on
plant growth, the independent variable would be the type of fertilizer
applied to the plants. The researcher would deliberately change the type
of fertilizer while measuring its impact on plant growth.
Dependent variable :
▪ Definition: The dependent variable is the outcome or response that is
measured and observed in an experiment. It is the variable that may
change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.
▪ Example: In the same study on fertilizer and plant growth, the dependent
variable would be the growth of the plants. The researcher would measure
parameters such as height, number of leaves, or biomass to assess how
the plants respond to different types of fertilizer.
Control variable:
▪ Definition: Control variables are the factors in an experiment that are kept
constant and unchanged throughout the study. They are important for
ensuring that any observed effects on the dependent variable can be
attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable rather than
other external factors.
▪ Example: In the fertilizer and plant growth study, control variables could
include factors such as the amount of sunlight, water, soil type,
, 3
temperature, and humidity. By keeping these variables constant across all
experimental conditions, the researcher can isolate the effects of the
independent variable (type of fertilizer) on the dependent variable (plant
growth).
• Models:
Physical :
models
▪ Description: Physical models are tangible representations of real-world
systems or phenomena. They can be three-dimensional objects or scaled-
down replicas used to simulate and study various aspects of the system.
▪ Example: A wind tunnel is a physical model used in aerodynamics to
simulate airflow around objects like airplanes or cars. Engineers can study
the aerodynamic properties of these objects by observing how they
behave in the wind tunnel, providing valuable insights for design
improvements.
Conceptual :
models
▪ Description: Conceptual models are simplified representations of complex
systems or ideas. They help scientists and researchers understand the
underlying principles and relationships within a system.
▪ Example: The Bohr model of the atom is a conceptual model that
represents the structure of an atom with electrons orbiting around a
central nucleus. While it is an oversimplification compared to the more
accurate quantum mechanical model, the Bohr model provides a useful
framework for understanding basic atomic structure and behavior.
Mathematical models :
▪ Description: Mathematical models use mathematical equations and
formulas to describe the behavior of systems or predict outcomes based
on given inputs. They allow for quantitative analysis and prediction.
▪ Example: The Lotka-Volterra equations are mathematical models used in
ecology to describe the dynamics of predator-prey relationships. These
equations predict how changes in population sizes of predators and prey
affect each other over time, providing insights into ecosystem dynamics.
Scientific Inquiry, Force and Motion
(Lessons 1-4) Note-Taking Guide
COMPLETE NEW UPDATED 2025
Western Governors University
,1
Scientific Inquiry, Force and Motion (Lessons 1-4) Note-Taking Guide
Using what you learn in Section 1: Lessons 1-4, take notes on key
concepts by answering the following prompts in your own words.
1. Describe the main methods of science.
1. Controlled experiments:
a. Description: Controlled experiments involve manipulating one or more
variables under controlled conditions to observe the effect on another
variable. This method allows scientists to establish cause-and-effect
relationships.
b. Example: A classic example is Mendel's experiments with pea plants. He
controlled the breeding of pea plants to study the inheritance of traits and
establish the laws of heredity.
2. Observational :
studies
a. Description: Observational studies involve observing and analyzing
phenomena as they occur naturally, without any intervention or
manipulation by the researcher.
b. Example: Jane Goodall's research on chimpanzee behavior in the wild is a
famous example of an observational study. She observed chimpanzees in
their natural habitat without interfering with their behavior to understand
their social structure and interactions.
3. Field :
studies
a. Description: Field studies involve conducting research in real-world
settings outside of a controlled laboratory environment. Researchers
collect data directly from the field.
b. Example: Ecologists studying the behavior of migratory birds may conduct
field studies by tracking bird movements across different habitats and
seasons to understand their migration patterns and behavior.
4. Laboratory :
studies
,2
a. Description: Laboratory studies involve conducting experiments or
research within a controlled environment, typically a laboratory, where
variables can be precisely controlled and manipulated.
b. Example: Psychologists conducting experiments on memory might use
laboratory studies where participants are presented with stimuli under
controlled conditions to measure their recall or recognition accuracy.
▪ Essential Vocabulary
Independent variable :
▪ Definition: The independent variable is the factor that is deliberately
manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment. It is the
variable assumed to cause changes in the dependent variable.
▪ Example: In a study investigating the effect of different fertilizer types on
plant growth, the independent variable would be the type of fertilizer
applied to the plants. The researcher would deliberately change the type
of fertilizer while measuring its impact on plant growth.
Dependent variable :
▪ Definition: The dependent variable is the outcome or response that is
measured and observed in an experiment. It is the variable that may
change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.
▪ Example: In the same study on fertilizer and plant growth, the dependent
variable would be the growth of the plants. The researcher would measure
parameters such as height, number of leaves, or biomass to assess how
the plants respond to different types of fertilizer.
Control variable:
▪ Definition: Control variables are the factors in an experiment that are kept
constant and unchanged throughout the study. They are important for
ensuring that any observed effects on the dependent variable can be
attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable rather than
other external factors.
▪ Example: In the fertilizer and plant growth study, control variables could
include factors such as the amount of sunlight, water, soil type,
, 3
temperature, and humidity. By keeping these variables constant across all
experimental conditions, the researcher can isolate the effects of the
independent variable (type of fertilizer) on the dependent variable (plant
growth).
• Models:
Physical :
models
▪ Description: Physical models are tangible representations of real-world
systems or phenomena. They can be three-dimensional objects or scaled-
down replicas used to simulate and study various aspects of the system.
▪ Example: A wind tunnel is a physical model used in aerodynamics to
simulate airflow around objects like airplanes or cars. Engineers can study
the aerodynamic properties of these objects by observing how they
behave in the wind tunnel, providing valuable insights for design
improvements.
Conceptual :
models
▪ Description: Conceptual models are simplified representations of complex
systems or ideas. They help scientists and researchers understand the
underlying principles and relationships within a system.
▪ Example: The Bohr model of the atom is a conceptual model that
represents the structure of an atom with electrons orbiting around a
central nucleus. While it is an oversimplification compared to the more
accurate quantum mechanical model, the Bohr model provides a useful
framework for understanding basic atomic structure and behavior.
Mathematical models :
▪ Description: Mathematical models use mathematical equations and
formulas to describe the behavior of systems or predict outcomes based
on given inputs. They allow for quantitative analysis and prediction.
▪ Example: The Lotka-Volterra equations are mathematical models used in
ecology to describe the dynamics of predator-prey relationships. These
equations predict how changes in population sizes of predators and prey
affect each other over time, providing insights into ecosystem dynamics.
