Scientific Experiment Terms

Independent Variable

• The thing that the scientist changes in order to see what will happen.

• A variable that remains constant throughout the experiment.

• The outcome that is measured in an experiment.

• A factor that is not manipulated by the scientist.

Constants

• Parts of the experiment that are always kept the same.

• Variables that change during the experiment.

• The main hypothesis of the experiment.

• The equipment used in the experiment.

Quantitative observation

• An observation that includes a number.

• An observation based on personal feelings.

• An observation that describes qualities without numbers.

• An observation that is made using only visual cues.

Observation

• A statement based on something one has seen, heard, or noticed.

• A conclusion drawn from a hypothesis.

• A theory that explains a phenomenon.

• A guess made without evidence.

Inference

• A guessed conclusion from observations.

• A definitive statement based on facts.

• A random assumption without evidence.

• A hypothesis that cannot be tested.

Variable

• Things that can be changed in an experiment.

• Fixed elements that do not change during an experiment.

• The outcome measured in an experiment.

• A type of control used in experiments.

Dependent Variable

• The thing that changes because of the independent variable.

• A variable that remains constant throughout the experiment.

• The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.

• A variable that does not affect the outcome of the experiment.

Control Group

• One part of the experiment that does not have anything changed about it.

• The group that receives the treatment or intervention.

• A group that is monitored but not tested.

• The group that is used to compare results against the experimental group.

Qualitative observation

• An observation that includes a number.

• An observation that is based on measurements.

• An observation that does not include a number.

• An observation that is purely subjective.