Nature of Science Vocabulary

Front

theory

Back

a well tested explanation for a wide variety of observations and experimental results.

Front

dependent variable

Back

variable that is observed and changes in response to the variable manipulated by a scientist, variable that is measured.

Front

process that test a hypothesis by collecting information under controlled conditions.

Back

experiment

Front

This part of the experiment serves as a basis of comparison; the one variable being tested has been omitted. (not changed)

Back

control group

Front

proposed explanation or answer to a scientific question.

Back

hypothesis

Front

independent variable

Back

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

Front

observation

Back

the action or process of observing something or someone carefully in order to gain information.

Front

data

Back

facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.

Front

scientific method

Back

a systematic process for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

Front

experiment group

Back

the group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested.