CSET 215: SCIENTIFIC PRACTICES, ENGINEERING
DESIGN AND APPLICATIONS, AND CROSSCUTTING
CONCEPTS | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH CORRECT
Scientific Method Answer - Observation/Question, Research, Hypothesis,
Experiment, Data, Analysis, Conclusion
Primary source Answer - First hand source of information
Secondary source Answer - Interprets, analyzes, distributes or publishes a
primary source
Evaluating sources Answer - - Is it valid (relevant to your problem)
- Is it reliable (can be trusted)
- Is it accurate (factual)
Hypothesis Answer - A proposed explanation for an observation. Must be
testable, answer a question, be a clear statement and identify measurable
variables
Independent variable Answer - What is changed
Dependent variable Answer - What is measured
, Extraneous variables Answer - Any variables other than the independent
variable
Confounding variable Answer - An extraneous variable that could strongly
influence a study
Moderator variables Answer - Variables that can increase or decrease the
relationship between the independent and dependent variables
Observational research Answer - Records the observations of phenomena. A
type of correlational research
Naturalistic observation Answer - Observer sits back and watches behavior
without manipulating different variables that may influence the results
Participant observation Answer - Researchers insert themselves into the group
being observed
Correlational Research Answer - Examines statistical relationships between
variables. Can give you a correlation but not a cause
Experimental Research Answer - A type of research that provides strong
evidence for cause and effect relationships. A real experiment is where we try
to control all variables except for the one we're studying
ANOVA Answer - Analysis of variance. Tests the difference in the means of
different groups
Chi-square Answer - Compares experimental data to the results we expect to
get
DESIGN AND APPLICATIONS, AND CROSSCUTTING
CONCEPTS | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH CORRECT
Scientific Method Answer - Observation/Question, Research, Hypothesis,
Experiment, Data, Analysis, Conclusion
Primary source Answer - First hand source of information
Secondary source Answer - Interprets, analyzes, distributes or publishes a
primary source
Evaluating sources Answer - - Is it valid (relevant to your problem)
- Is it reliable (can be trusted)
- Is it accurate (factual)
Hypothesis Answer - A proposed explanation for an observation. Must be
testable, answer a question, be a clear statement and identify measurable
variables
Independent variable Answer - What is changed
Dependent variable Answer - What is measured
, Extraneous variables Answer - Any variables other than the independent
variable
Confounding variable Answer - An extraneous variable that could strongly
influence a study
Moderator variables Answer - Variables that can increase or decrease the
relationship between the independent and dependent variables
Observational research Answer - Records the observations of phenomena. A
type of correlational research
Naturalistic observation Answer - Observer sits back and watches behavior
without manipulating different variables that may influence the results
Participant observation Answer - Researchers insert themselves into the group
being observed
Correlational Research Answer - Examines statistical relationships between
variables. Can give you a correlation but not a cause
Experimental Research Answer - A type of research that provides strong
evidence for cause and effect relationships. A real experiment is where we try
to control all variables except for the one we're studying
ANOVA Answer - Analysis of variance. Tests the difference in the means of
different groups
Chi-square Answer - Compares experimental data to the results we expect to
get
