Big Ideas 1 and 2 The Practice of Science and Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge
Inference
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
Variable
A factor that can change in an experiment
data table
A grid that displays the data plotted in a chart.
opinion
A personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
hypothesis
A prediction, based on research, is made about what you think the evidence is going to show. All of these in 5th grade should include the words If.... then.... because...
evidence
All results should be based on _____________ for an experiment to be valid.
Data
Facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations.
research
Information about the topic is obtained from reputable sources: books, internet (reliable sites), experts, encyclopedias, etc.
observations
Information gathered by noticing facts and occurrences using your five senses (see, hear, smell, taste, touch).
inquiry
The search for information and explanation, often focusing on specific questions.
analyze results
The step where you examine the data and look for patterns, trends, consistencies, etc
constant variables
The variables that remain the same throughout the experiment
conclusion
Was your hypothesis supported by the evidence? Or did the evidence disprove your hypothesis? These questions you answer in this last step of the Scientific Method.
model
a representation of an idea, an object, a process, or a system that is used to describe and explain something that cannot be experienced directly
control group
allows us to compare the test group with what would normally happen. Without the control group we would not be able to tell if the independent (test) variable makes a difference because we have nothing to compare it to.
problem
always in form of a question; the question we are trying to answer by doing the experiment
simulation
an imitation of an event; a reproduction of an event that is similar to the actual event
controlled experiment
an investigation in which scientists control variables and set up a test to answer a question - must always have a control group and a test group.
graph
data displayed on a bar, circle or line
reliable
dependable
Bubble experiment outcome (dependent) variable
diameter of the bubble
systematic observation
documenting descriptive details of events in nature -amounts, sizes, colors, smell, behavior, texture - for example - eclipse observations
interpretation
explaining the meaning of something
tennis ball lab test (independent) variable
floor surfaces
valid
founded on fact or evidence
3 trials
helps to ensure that the results of an experiment are reliable.and valid
Bubble experiment control group
recipe with 1 T of soap and 50 ml water
Bubble experiment test group
recipe with 5 T of soap and 50 ml water
Skittles experiment control group
room temperature water
tennis ball lab constant variables
same type of tennis balls; tennis balls dropped from the same height; same meter stick
publish
share results to allow other researchers to do the same experiment to see if they get similar results
field study
studying plants and animals in their natural habitat
investigation
the action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research.
tennis ball lab outcome (dependent) variable
the height the ball bounced
outcome (dependent) variable
the measure of change between the control and test groups - for example, in the tennis ball lab, this was the height the ball bounced
repeated trials
the number of times procedures are repeated, usually 3-5, during a scientific experiment in order to achieve a more accurate result
experiment
the process of using a set of controlled observations that test the hypothesis
test (independent) variable
the thing in the experiment that you change to compare to the control group
Skittles experiment outcome (dependent) variable
the time it took for the candy coating to dissolve
replicate
to do an experiment just like the person that did it before
predict
to say what will happen before it occurs
Skittles experiment test group
warm water