Scientific Method Terminology

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Data

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Facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations.

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Variable

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A factor that changes in an experiment.

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Criteria

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Standards by which something is judged.

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Constraints

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A limit to a design process.

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Observing

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Using one or more of your senses to gather information.

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Inferring

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The process of making an interpretation based on observations and data collection.

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Predicting

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Making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experiences.

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Classification

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The process of grouping things based on their similarities.

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Quantitative observation

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An observation that deals with a number or amount.

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Qualitative observation

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An observation that deals with characteristics that cannot be expressed in numbers.