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scientific method
vocab on scientific method
Term | Definition |
---|---|
qualitative observation | an observation that deals with characteristics that are not expressed in numbers |
quantitative observation | an observation that deals with a number or amount |
inferring | the process of making an inference, an interpretation based on observations and prior knowledge |
chemistry | the study of the properties of matter and how matter changes |
physics | the study of matter and energy and how they interact |
science | a way of learning about the natural world through observations and logical reasoning; leads to a body of knowledge |
predicting | the process of forecasting what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence |
observing | the process of using one or more of your senses to gather information |
scientific inquiry | the ongoing process of discovery in science |
variable | a factor that can change in an experiment |
independent (manipulated) variable | a variable that is intentionally changed to observe its effect on the dependent variable. |
dependent (responding) variable | the event studied and expected to change when the independent variable is changed. |
controlled experiment | an experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time |
scientific law | a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions |
scientific theory | a well tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results |