science skills

hypothesis

Tentative explanation of how something works or of the cause of an event. It must be testable. Data collected supports or rejects its. It is a tested via objective observations.

theory

Arises from repeated observations and testing from different areas of science. It incorporates facts, laws, predictions, and tested hypotheses that are widely accepted and explain some aspect of the natural world.

experimental group

The group that receives the treatment (independent variable).

placebo

a pill, usually a sugar pill, that appears just like the actual treatment (independent variable) but does not contain the factor that is believed to have an affect. example: caffeine is a drug being studied, some patients would get a caffeine pill, while others would get a pill that looks like caffeine, but does not have caffeine in it.

independent variable

The variable that is applied during an experiment. It is deliberately changed. Represented on the x-axis of a graph.

dependent variable

The variable that is observed or measured during the experiment. Y-axis

control group

Removing the treatment (independent variable), the experimental group that does not receive the independent variable. Basis for comparison

experimental constants

Factors that remain the same in all trials of the experimental group and the control group

data

information collected during and experiment

quantitative

data that contains quantities or numerical values

qualitative

data that contains non numerical values

observation

objective information collected with the 5 senses

inference

a conclusion or judgment based on opinion or interpretation

analysis

interpretation of results

conclusion

a judgement is made based on the interpretation of the results

results

data and observations gathered from the experiment. Can be provided in various forms; diagrams, graphs, tables etc.

experiment

The procedure used to validate or invalidate an hypothesis.

Experimental Group

Entity to which a treatment (IV) is assigned. Ex) Human receives a certain dose of pill.

Multiple Test Cases and Trials

Criteria for a Good Experiment: There are Multiple experimental units per treatment and multiple trials

Accurate Measurement

Criteria for a Good Experiment: Measurement technique uses a scientific tool and is not an estimate (meters, mass, seconds, etc.)

Relevant Data

Criteria for a Good Experiment: The data collected matches the experimental question

One independent variable

Criteria for a Good Experiment: One one variable is manipulated by the scientist in an experiment between control group and experimental groups (alcohol concentration)

Has a Control Group

Criteria for a Good Experiment: Experiment has a group that does not receive the independent variable and is used for comparison

Y vs. X

Format for a correct graph title

X axis

On a graph, this has the independent variable

Y axis

On a graph, this has the dependent variable