Term | Definition |
Observing | Using your five senses to gather information about the world around you. |
Qualitative | Observations made using your five senses. |
Quantitative | Observations made that are based on measurements. |
Inferences | To explain or interpret an observation using previous experience. |
Predictions | Making an inference about a FUTURE event based on current or past experience. |
X Axis | Also known as the horizontal axis on the graph. |
Y Axis | Also known as the vertical axis on the graph. |
Independent Variable | The one variable that is purposely changed in the test by the investigator during an experiment. |
Controlled Variable(s) | The variables that are kept the same or constant in an experiment. |
Dependent Variable | The variable that is a result of the independent variable. (You find out at the end.) |
Uncontrolled Variable | Something you did not anticipate or think would happen OR a human error. |
Hypothesis | An educated guess or prediction that must be testable. (If and then.) |
Data Table | A way to organize data in two columns with independent variable always on the left and dependent variable always on the right. |
Line Graph | A type of graph that is used when data takes place over time, such as population changes or a person's growth. |
Bar Graph | A graph that is used for descriptive data, such as car colors. (Comparing/contrasting data.) |
Increments | When numbering a graph, the numbers you choose are called increments. |
Range | The numbers that are between the highest and lowest numbers in the data set. |
Metric System | The system of numbers that is used by all scientists. (Based on the number 10, so it is easy to convert units.) |