Pratt Science Set 1 Scientific Method

Theory

1. A Hypothesis that explains a concept or act and is supported by and has never been contradicted by testing data. 2. A well tested and as such correct hypothesis

Scientific Method

1. A logical, systematic approach to the solution of a scientific problem. 2. Steps include Observation, Question or Problem, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data analysis, Conclusion, Publish Results.

Constant or Controlled Variable

1. A possible variable that is accounted for and kept at the same level for each group or test trial. 2. A part of an experiment that will not be changed.

Law

1. A widely accepted descriptive statement or rule that reliably predicts natural events under any testable condition and has never been contradicted

Data

1. Information, facts, or figures in an investigation. 2. Evidence, records, statistics. 3.What you are recording in an investigation or experiment.

Trial

1. One instance of an experiment. 2. The number of times an experiment is repeated during an investigation

Independent Variable

1. The condition or thing the experimenter is changing in an investigation. 2.What is being tested in a hypotheses. 3.The one thing the experimenter is changing to see what effect that change has.(if fertilizers are tested to find their effect on plant growth then fertilizers are this type of variable)

Test Group

1. The group exposed to the experimental variable in an experiment. 2. The Test subjects in an experiments

Dependent Variable

1. What is affected during an experiment or what happens as a result of changing the independent variable. 2. This variable responds to changes in the independent variable. 3. It is the data you are recording during the experiment. What you are measuring or counting or observing. (if fertilizers are tested to find their effect on plant growth then plant growth is this type of variable)

Hypothesis

1. a researched and testable prediction or best guess. 2. An educated guess or explanation of what you believe will answers the research question or problem

Experimental Control or Control Group

1. the standard by which the test results of an experiment can be compared. 2. the group or item not being tested or receiving independent variable.

Qualitative Data

One of the two types of data. It is descriptive and untestable . ex...red, round, smooth

Quantitative Data

One of the two types of data. It must measurable and based on numbers. ex...1,2,50,22232. All scientific experiments or tests use this type of data.

Predict

To say in advance what one believes will happen. To foretell a future event or events

empirical evidence

Verifiable evidence or data gathered by careful observation, experimentation, and measurement.

Precision

also called reproducibility or repeatability, is the degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show the same results.

Accuracy

is the degree of closeness of measurements of a quantity toactual actual (true) value.