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PS Ch 1
vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Scientific Method | organized set of investigation procedures that can include stating a problem, forming a hypothesis, researching and gathering information, testing a hypothesis, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.(page 7) |
hypothesis | educated guess using what you know and what you observe. (page 8) |
experiment | organized procedure for testing a hypothesis; tests the effect of one thing on another under controlled conditions. (page 8) |
variable | factor that can cause a change in the results of an experiment. (page 9) |
dependent variable | factor that changes as a result of changes in other variables. (page 9) |
independent variable | factor that, as it changes, affects the measure of another variable. (page 9) |
constant | in an experiment, a variable that does not change when other variables change. (page 9) |
control | standard used for comparison of test results in an experiment. (page 9) |
bias | occurs when a scientist's expectations change how the results of an experiment are viewed. (page 10) |
model | can be used to represent an idea, object, or event that is too big, too small, too complex, or too dangerous to observe or test directly. (page 11) |
theory | explanation of things or events that is based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. (page 12) |
scientific law | statement about what happens in nature that seems to be true all the time; does not explain why or how something happens. (page 12) |
technology | application of science to help people. (page 13) |