Required Science Skill for Research from ACT^TM

All students should be able to...

1. Understand the components of an experimental design or procedure (e.g. identify the control).
2. Understand the basic features of, or data points in, tables or graphs.
3. Understand basic scientific concepts or assumptions underlying given information.
4. Translate data/information into a graph or diagram.
5. Formulate a hypothesis or conclusion that supports or is consistent with a stated hypothesis or conclusion.
6. Determine whether data/information either supports or is consistent with a stated hypothesis or conclusion.
7. Evaluate the similarities and differences, or the strengths and weaknesses, of experimental procedures or scientific viewpoints.
8. Propose an alternative way of testing a hypothesis or scientific viewpoint, or proposing an alternative way of producing the same experimental results.
9. Formulate a generalization or model that is consistent with given data/information.
10. Predict outcomes on the basis of data/information.
11. Extend scientific concepts, hypotheses, or experimental procedures to new situations to gain new information.