Question | Answer |
science | process of trying to understand the world |
scientific methods | step-by-step procedures of scientific problem solving, which can include identifying the problem, forming and testing hypothesis, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating |
constant | factor that stays the same through all phases of an experiment (controlled variable |
control | standard used for comparison in an experiment |
inference | conclusion drawn from an observation |
observation | bit of information gathered with the senses. Qualitative or Quantitative |
independent variable | single factor in an experiment that the scientist changes. (manipulated variable) |
dependent variable | factor that will be measured in an experiment (responding variable) |
hypothesis | statement that can be tested |
model | represents something that is too big, too small,too dangerous, too time consuming, or too expensive to observe directly |
qualitative observation | Observations made with our senses |
quantitative observation | Observations that focus on data; they can be measured with instruments. |
theory | an explanation of things or events based on scientific knowledge that is the result of many observations and experiments |
law | statement about how things work in nature that seems to be true all the time. |
variable | something in an experiment that can change |