click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
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 |