| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Observation | to use of your senses to gather information |
| Inference | a quick explanation what you observe (that you might assume is true) |
| Skepticism | an attitude of doubt |
| Scientific method | the steps scientists use to create explanations based on the evidence they gather |
| Data | evidence gathered through observations (especially during experiments) |
| Scientific literacy | understanding basic scientific terms and principles |
| Science | the methodological studying of the natural world through experimentation and verification of facts. |
| Fact | true statement |
| Hypothesis | an educated guess about the result of an experiment. |
| Scientific Law | scientific statement that is well tested, supported, and verifiable. |
| Qualitative Observations | observations made by the 5 senses. (seeing, feeling, touching, smelling, tasting.) |
| Quantitative Observations | observations made by using measuring instruments. (number-based observations) |
| Independent Variable | part of an experiment that the experimenter changes. |
| Dependent Variable | changes as a result of the changes in the Independent Variable. |
| Control | a standard to compare results in an experiment. |
| Model | is used to represent things we cannot directly study. |
| Bias | something that can affect how the results of an experiment are viewed |
| Graph | visual display of information or data |
| Manipulated variable | alternative term for independent variable |
| Responding Variable | alternative term for the dependant variable |
| Independent | this variable data is plotted on the horizontal (x) axis of a graph |
| Dependent | this variable data is plotted on the vertical (y) axis of a graph |
| Replicate | to repeat a research study, usually with different participants and in different situations, to confirm the results of the original study |
| sample size | The number of subjects used in an experiment or study. Generally, the larger the better. |
| randomness | the quality of lacking any predictable order or plan,best defense against bias |
| bar graph | used to display data that is not continuous or without units |
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