scientific method vocabulary biology gpsvps
Post on 21-Jan-2015
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Scientific Method Vocabulary
Inference• An assumption based on facts or
observations, eventhough it is NOT stated
Observations
• Information gathered through the 5 senses--seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling
Question/Problem/Purpose
• What you are trying to find out
• Why the experiment is being done
• Usually written in the form of a question
Hypothesis or Prediction
• What you think will happen
• What do you think is the correct answer
• a probable solution to the problem based on knowledge you already have
Materials• Part of the experiment
• a list of supplies or tools that are used during the experiment
Procedures
• Step-by-step instructions
• What you will do to solve the problem
• How you will test the hypothesis
Data
• Information gathered in an experiment
• What you will look for during the experiment
• Charts, graphs, tables, diagrams
Conclusions
• A decision based on facts gathered during the experiment
• What the results of the experiment tell you about the problem and about your hypothesis
Communication or Theory
• When scientists (others) repeat an experiment over and over, and the results are similar (or validated), then the hypothesis becomes a theory
• Whenever an experiment is repeated and the results are validated, scientists (others) communicate (tell) their results to others
Independent Variable
• The part of the experiment (factor) that you, the experimenter, change and have control over
Dependent Variable• The experimental factor that changes
because during or as a result of the experiment, and you did NOT change yourself
Constants
• Things (factors) that stay the same during the entire experiment so that the dependent variable can be observed
Control Group
• A group in the experiment that is NOT changed by the experimenter
• The group in the experiment that is left alone
• The “natural” group
Experimental Group
• The group in the experiment that is changed by the person conducting the experiment
• The group that you work with
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