Nature of Science Vocabulary

Scientific Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of evidence and repeatedly tested through observation and experimentation and corroborated in accordance with the scientific method.

Scientific Law

laws of science are statements, that describe or predict a range of natural phenomena that always appear to be true

Evidence

is evidence that serves to either support or counter a scientfic theory or hypothosis

qualitative data

a type of data that aims to gather and analyze non-numerical data in order to gain an understanding. uses one of more than your 5 senses to describe something

quantitative data

is based on data that can be counted or measured in numerical values

inference

process or drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning

hypothesis

an educated guess or assumption used to predict outcome of an experiment using if than and because statements.

conclusion

a definitive statement based on evidence and reasoning

dependent variable

what is being observed or measured

independent variable

the variables that are changed in a experiment

control group

an experiamental group that does not recieve any variables

experimental group

an experimantal group that recieves a treatment to see the cause and effect

placebo

a substance that will have no effect on the test subject