Term | Definition |
Inference | An assumption based on prior experience and evidence |
Observation | A statement about something based on direct information gathered from your senses. |
Hypothesis | A tentative, testable explanation to a scientific question |
Null hypothesis | A hypothesis of no difference or no effect. |
Independent variable | A variable that stands alone in a controlled experiment and is usually set by the experimenter. |
Dependent variable | A variable that responds to the independent variable. It is measured during the investigation. |
Controlled variable (constant) | Factors that are kept the same or controlled during an experiment |
Experimental group | In a controlled experiment, the group(s) exposed to the independent variable being tested and results are recorded. |
Control group | In a controlled experiment, the group that does not receive the treatment and is used as a benchmark for comparison. |
Homeostasis | The ability of an organism or cell to maintain stability or balance even when dealing with external changes. |
Metabolism | The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within the body of living organisms or cells |
Quantitative data | Information that can be measured and written down with numbers |
Qualitative data | Information that is not in numerical form and is often descriptive |
Assumption | Feature about your investigation that is accepted as true without proof. |
Prediction | A statement of what might happen. Hypotheses can lead to predictions |
Organism | Anything that has or had all of the characteristics of life |