Scientific Method and Measurement Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary terms from the lecture notes covering the scientific method, variable identification, data types, and the International System of Units.

Testable question

Question that can be answered by doing an experiment or collecting measurable data and includes an independent variable and dependent variable.

Hypothesis

A possible explanation/prediction for an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations.

Independent variable

Variable that is changed by the scientist to see what happens.

Dependent variable

Variable that is measured.

Observation

Using the five senses to gather information.

Constant

Factors that stay the same in an experiment to make it fair.

Control group

Group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or change; used for comparison with experimental group.

Scientific theory

Explanation of observations or events based on knowledge gained from many observations/investigations.

Scientific law

Rule that describes a pattern in nature.

SI

International System of Units-universally accepted version of the metric system based on multiples of $10$.

Qualitative data

Describes the data you observe.

Quantitative data

Data that is measurable and numerical.

Volume

Amount of space an object takes up.

Mass

Amount of matter contained in an object.

Density

Measure of how much mass is contained in volume of a substance; $D = \frac{m}{V}$.

Meniscus line

Curved surface that forms at the between a liquid and the walls of its container; used to read volume of a liquid.

milli

Equal to $0.001$, $1/1000th$.

centi

Equal to $0.01$, $1/100th$.

deci

Equal to $0.1$, $1/10th$.

kilo

Equal to $1,000$.