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Stack #4617786
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Scientific Investigation | A method of research in which a problem is identified, relevant data gathered, a hypothesis is formulated from these data, and the hypothesis is empirically tested |
| Research | Is the systematic investigation of scientific theories and hypothesis |
| Observation | Use of one of the senses or measurement to gather data |
| Inference | A conclusion drawn from observations as well as previous knowledge |
| Hypothesis | A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question; must be testable |
| Experiment | A test, trial, or tentative procedure; an act or operation for the purpose of discovering something unknown or of testing a principle, supposition,etc.: |
| Independent Variable | The one factor that a scientist changes during an experiment; also called manipulated variable. |
| Dependent Variable | The factor that changes as an result of changes to the independent variable in an experiment; also called responding variable |
| Controlled Variable | A variable in which the researcher holds constant during an experiment . It is also known as a constant variable or simply as a "control" |
| Control | An experiment designed to check or correct the results of another experiment by removing the variable or variables operating in that other experiment. |
| Data | The information gained from observing and testing an experiment |
| Conclusion | A short paragraph that discusses the overall results of an experimental procedure and explains whether the proposed hypothesis was correct or not. |
| Analyze | The process of interpreting the meaning of the data we have collected, organized, and displayed, in the form of a table or graph |
| Data Trends | An upward or downward shift in a data set over time used to predict what may happen in the future. |
| Scientific Bias | A subjective belief that affects a person's attitude toward something; an error in the design of an experiment that affects the results of the experiment |
| Qualitative Data | Descriptions in words of what is being observed. (ex: color, odor, texture) |
| Quantitative Data | Numeric measurements (ex: mass, volume, temperature) |
| Empirical Evidence | Information gathered through direct observation, experience, or experimentation. |
| Pseudoscience | A collection of claims, theories, or methods that present themselves as scientific but lack a basis in the scientific method |
| Objective Reasoning | Making conclusions based on facts, evidence, and logic. |
| Subjective Reasoning | Making conclusions based on personal opinions, feelings, and beliefs |