(Updated) Year 8 term 1 word list

Apparatus

Equipment assembled for a particular purpose

Conclusion

What has been deduced from the results of an experiment

Controlled variable

A variable that is kept constant (or changed in constant ways) during an investigation

Data

Information that is collected , organised and analysed for various purposes. It can be in the form of numbers , text , images or any other format that can be processed

Dependent Variable

The factor in an experiment that changes in response to changes to the independent variable ; conventionally plotted on the vertical ( y ) axis of a graph

Discussion

An explanation of your experimental results and any difficulties you had with an experiment

Equipment

Materials and tools used for conducting experiments .

Hypothesis

A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation

Independent Variable

The variable that is deliberately changed ,often through a series of pre - set values .

Inference

A logical explanation about what happened and why it happened

Observation

To see, watch, perceive or notice .Can be made using all 5 senses as well as digital and non - digital tools that extend our senses .

Procedure

Description of how an experiment is to be conducted .

Reliability

An extent to which repeated observations and / or measurements taken under identical circumstances will yield similar results .

Risk Assessment

The determination of quantitative or qualitative estimate of risk related to a well-defined situation and a recognised threat ( also called hazard ).

Validity

The extent to which the processes and resultant data measure what was intended .

Variable

A factor that can be changed , kept the same or measured in an investigation