Section 1 - Scientific Investigation

Front

Collecting data using the five senses.

Back

Observation: The act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way.

Front

A tentative and TESTABLE explanation for an observation. An 'IF..THEN' statement.

Back

Hypothesis: A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Front

Number based data (Ex. 5 mL or 7 mL)

Back

Quantitative Data: Data that can be measured and written down with numbers.

Front

Explains a broad range of information (Ex. Evolution)

Back

Theory: A well-substantiated explanation acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.

Front

What is the independent variable?

Back

Independent Variable: The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Front

The variable that is measured in an experiment.

Back

Dependent Variable: The variable that is tested and measured in a scientific experiment.

Front

A statement that summarizes the results of an experiment.

Back

Conclusion: A summary of the results of an experiment, explaining whether the hypothesis was supported or not.

Front

Data that can be observed but not measured (Ex. Color, texture)

Back

Qualitative Data: Descriptive data that can be observed but not measured.

Front

A scientific principle that describes the behavior of a natural phenomenon.

Back

Law: A statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes some aspects of the universe.

Front

The factor that is changed in an experiment to test its effects.

Back

Independent Variable: The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.