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Sci. Meth. Vocab.
Scientific Method Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Analysis | Summary looking for relationships in the data |
| Conclusion | Accepts or rejects hypothesis, summarizes the data pattern and relationships |
| Constant | A variable that does not change in an experiment |
| Control | Part of experiment that usually happens, used for comparison |
| Data | Information collected during a scientific experiment |
| Dependent Variable | The variable that is measured or observed. it "depends on" the independent |
| Experiment | A series of steps that test a hypothesis |
| Hypothesis | A prediction, an "educated guess", written as an "if...then..." statement |
| Independent Variable | The variable that you are testing or changing. "I change the..." |
| Inference | An explanation of information, not directly observed |
| Materials | All equipment and items needed for an experiment |
| Model | An explanation of how a system works using objects or drawings |
| Observation | Information gained by using the 5 senses and lab equipment |
| Procedure | Numbered, step-by-step set of instructions used to conduct and experiment |
| Purpose | The question to be answered in a science experiment |
| Qualitative | Observations describing characteristics of an object, such as color, texture, size, shape, etc. |
| Quantitative | Observations representing measurements, numbers or amounts |
| Scientific Law | Describes how nature acts under certain conditions. Well established idea. |
| Scientific Method | An organized series of steps used to solve problems |
| Scientific Theory | A set of ideas that tie together observations. Well supported hypothesis that cannot be proven wrong |
| Sources of Error | Any happenings in an experiment that negatively affect the data |
| Variable | Factors of a scientific experiment that can be changed |