Ch 3: MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Scientific Thought & Inquiry
About This Chapter
MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Scientific Thought & Inquiry - Chapter Summary
Jump into this chapter on scientific inquiry as you prepare for your Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Integrated Science (Secondary) exam. Our experienced instructors can help refresh your memory on the foundational concepts in conducting research. Here we discuss topics including:
- Basic tenets of science
- Definitions of scientific investigation and theory
- Examples of scientific law
- Variables in the research process
- Inductive and deductive reasoning
Fun and memorable videos form the backbone of your studies here. Each video is brief and viewable on both computers and mobile devices, making it easy to fit quality review into your busy life. Don't forget to take the quizzes and chapter test to practice answering questions like those you'll find on the real test. Print out the quiz worksheet for a handy review sheet.
MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Scientific Thought & Inquiry Chapter Objectives
The MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary) exam tests your knowledge of general scientific knowledge, life sciences, earth and space sciences, and physical sciences. This chapter covers material which falls within the scientific knowledge content domain, which contains makes up about 25% of the overall test content. The related test objective is 001, requiring test takers to demonstrate knowledge of the process of scientific research.
You will have the option to take a paper- or computer-based test. Both include 100 multiple-choice questions, but the paper test gives you two extra hours to complete it (4.5 hours vice 2.5 for the computer test).

1. The Nature of Science
This lesson will explore the basic nature of science. It will distinguish science from pseudoscience and hypothesis from theory and natural law; it will give plenty of examples of each.

2. What is Scientific Investigation? - Definition, Steps & Examples
Scientific investigation is the way in which scientists and researchers use a systematic approach to answer questions about the world around us. Read on to find out more. A quiz is provided to test your understanding.

3. What is the Scientific Theory? - Definition, Characteristics & Example
In this lesson, you'll learn the definition and characteristics of a scientific theory and understand how theories are formulated. You'll see examples of scientific theories, and after the lesson you can test your knowledge with a brief quiz.

4. What is a Scientific Law? - Definition & Examples
In this lesson, you will learn about scientific laws. The topic will be defined for you and several types of scientific laws will be described. Finally, examples of scientific laws and theories will be provided to assist you with learning the difference between the two terms.

5. Researcher Variables that Affect Internal Validity
Scientists want only the independent variable to affect the outcome of their studies, but sometimes it is the things they do themselves that change the outcome. We'll look at three common researcher-related variables: researcher bias, selection bias, and researcher personality in this lesson.

6. Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning: Differences & Examples
This lesson explores the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in the form of psychological experiments. In addition to defining these terms, the lesson gives examples to explain how this reasoning is applied.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary)(094): Practice & Study Guide course
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Scientific Research & Data
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Lab Safety & Procedures
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Influential Scientists
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Science, Technology & Society
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Cell Structure & Function
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Structure & Function of Living Things
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Basic Human Anatomy
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Disease & Prevention
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Reproductive Systems
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Physical Health & Nutrition
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Human Population Characteristics
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Genetics & Heredity
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Evolutionary Principles
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Ecological Systems
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Ecosystem Chemical Cycles
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): History of Earth & Plate Tectonics
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Rocks, Minerals & Topography
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): The Hydrosphere
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Earth's Atmosphere, Weather & Climate
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Basic Weather Concepts
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Formation of the Solar System & Universe
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Formation & Characteristics of Stars
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): The Solar System
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Properties of Matter
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Chemical Bonds
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Chemical Changes in Matter
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): States of Matter & Phase Changes
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Mechanics
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Electricity
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Magnetism
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Thermodynamics
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary): Waves, Light & Sound
- MTTC Integrated Science (Secondary) Flashcards