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Scientific Meth
Scientific Method
Term | Definition |
---|---|
science | a way of learning about the natural world |
observing | using one or more of your senses to gather information |
quantitative observations | deal with a number or amount |
qualitative observations | deal with descriptions that cannot be expressed in numbers |
inferring | explain or interpret the things your observe |
predicting | making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence |
classifying | the process of grouping together items that are alike in some way |
models | representation of a complex object or process that cannot be observed directly (like the solar system) |
hypothesis | a possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question |
controlled experiement | experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time |
manipulated variable | also called independent variable - one variable that is changed |
responding variable | also called dependent variable - the factor that may change in response to manipulated (independent) variable |
operational definition | statement that describes how to measure a variable or define a term |
data | the facts, figures and other evidence gathered through observations |
skepticism | an attitude of doubt |
technology | anything that improves the way people live |
engineer | a person trained to use both technological and scientific knowledge to solve practical problems |