Chapter 3: The Scientific Method

procedure

a collection of all the techniques you use to do an experiment

variable

a factor that affects how an experiment works

system

a group of variables that are related

hypothesis

a possible explanation that can be tested by comparing scientific evidence

scientific method

a process of learning that begins with a hypothesis and proceeds to prove or change the hypothesis by comparing it with scientific evidence

inquiry

a process of learning that starts with asking questions and proceeds by seeking the answers to the questions

engineering cycle

a process used to build and test devices that solve technical problems

engineer

a professional who uses scientific knowledge to create or improve inventions that solve problems and meet needs

thoery

a scientific explanation supported by a lot of evidence collected over a long period of time

experiment

a situation specifically set up to investigate the relationships between variables

natural law

a theory that has been tested many times without any contradictions

control variable

a variable that is kept the same (constant) in an experiment

prototype

a working model of a design that can be tested to see if it works

repeatable

describes evidence that can be seen independently by others if they repeat the same experiment or observation in the same way

objective

describes evidence that documents only what actually happened as accuratly as possible

trial

each time an experiment is tried

technology

the application of science to meet human needs and solve problems

experimental technique

the exact procedure that's followed each time an experiment is repeated

experimental variable

the variable the scientist changes in an experiment

deduce

to figure something out from known facts using logical thinking