Environmental Science Objectives - Chapter 2

1. List and describe the steps of the experimental method.

2. Describe why a good hypothesis is not simply a guess.

3. Describe the two essential parts of a good experiment.

4. Use the scientific method to conduct a scientific experiment.

5. Describe how scientists study subjects in which experiments are not possible.

6. Explain the importance of curiosity and imagination in science.

7. Explain how scientists use statistics.

8. Explain why the size of a statistical sample is important.

9. Describe three types of models commonly used by scientists.

10. Explain the relationship between probability and risk.

11. Explain the importance of conceptual and mathematical models.

12. Describe eight values that people consider when making decisions about the environment.

13. Describe the four steps in a simple environmental decision-making model.

14. Analyze an environmental issue using the four step decision-making model.

15. Compare the short-term and long-term consequences of two decisions regarding a hypothetical environmental issue.

Key Terms to Know

Observation

Hypothesis

Prediction

Experiment

Variable

Experimental group control group

Data

Correlation

Statistics

Mean

Distribution

Probability

Sample

Risk

Model

Value