IDS1152 - Scientific Method
About this set
Created by:
thumpaholden Plus on September 13, 2009
Subjects:
environmental science, scientific method
Log in to favorite or report as inappropriate.
Order by
38 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 scientific method | the basic, logical process of answering questions and developing knowledge. The process scientists use to find answers |
| scientific method | 1. make observations and collect facts, 2. decide what questions to ask and ask them, 3. develop an hypothesis, 4. Test the hypothesis, 5. reject, modify or accept the hypothesis |
| make observations and collect facts | scientific method: 1.__________, 2. decide what questions to ask and ask them, 3. develop an hypothesis, 4. Test the hypothesis, 5. reject, modify or accept the hypothesis |
| decide what questions to ask and ask them | Scientific method: 1. make observations and collect facts, 2. .__________, 3. develop an hypothesis, 4. Test the hypothesis, 5. reject, modify or accept the hypothesis |
| develop an hypothesis | Scientific method: 1. make observations and collect facts, 2. decide what questions to ask and ask them, 3. .__________, 4. Test the hypothesis, 5. reject, modify or accept the hypothesis |
| Test the hypothesis | Scientific method: 1. make observations and collect facts, 2. decide what questions to ask and ask them, 3. develop an hypothesis, 4. __________, 5. reject, modify or accept the hypothesis |
| reject, modify or accept the hypothesis | Scientific method: 1. make observations and collect facts, 2. decide what questions to ask and ask them, 3. develop an hypothesis, 4. Test the hypothesis, 5. __________. |
| Observation | the act of observing and recording facts |
| Fact | a thing that has actually happened or is known to be true |
| hypothesis | produce an untested answer to the question based on observations, "educated guess" |
| test a hypothesis | develop and perform experiments and computer models to help verify or nullify, using repetition and verifying. |
| repeat and verify | Two important characteristics of analyzing test results. |
| scientific theory | well tested and verified explanation of a given observation, which has been widely accepted by the scientific community. Not bullet proof. Not always have unanimous acceptance. |
| scientific law | theory that has been tested and there are no exceptions |
| Peer review | work that has been reviewed by other researchers working in a related field, before it is accepted for publication. |
| Abstract | brief and concise summary of a paper. |
| Introduction | part of a paper, information that familiarizes the reader with the question, methods used to seek an answer and the results found |
| Method | part of a paper: comprehensive information about the methods used to seek answers |
| results | part of a paper concise information about the results of tests |
| reproducibility | importance of including methods and results sections in peer reviewed scientific publications |
| discussion | part of a paper: comprehensive information about how test results answer the question or not |
| conclusion | part of a paper: a summary of what was determined by research. |
| critical thinking | mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that people have offered as truth. Not memorizing. |
| statistics | data or facts of a numerical type, organized in a way that presents information. |
| matter | anything that has mass and takes up space |
| element | a substance that cannot be changed into another substance by ordinary chemical or physical means |
| atom | smallest particle of matter that cannot be broken down into simpler particles by ordinary chemical or physical means |
| compound | a molecule with more than one kind of atom, which often has characteristics that are very different from their constituent elements. |
| law of conservation of matter | matter cannot be created nor destroyed by ordinary chemical or physical means |
| energy | that which can change the position, physical composition and or temperature of matter. The capacity to do work and or transfer heat. |
| Kinetic | energy of motion. Includes all forms of radiation |
| Potential | energy of position. Includes chemical energy - the energy stored in chemical bonds within molecules |
| kinetic | the type of energy in radiation |
| potential | the type of energy in chemical bonds |
| first law of energy | we cannot create or destroy energy (Thermodynamics) |
| first law of energy | E in = E out |
| second law of energy | when energy is transformed from one form to another, some of it is always degraded to heat (heat is a lower quality energy) |
| Energy efficiency | how much useful work is gained from an amount of Energy compared to how much is wasted. |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.