Bio Unit 1: Scientific Method

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hypothesis

possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answers to a scientific question

observation

process of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way

independent variable

factor in a controlled experiment that is deliberately changed; also called manipulated variable

dependent variable

variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable; also called the responding variable

control group

group in an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable

data

evidence; information gathered from observation

conclusion

a statement made based on experimental measurements and observations

inference

a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience

experimental group

a group that receives the variable, or treatment, that the researchers are testing

controlled experiment

experiment in which only one variable is changed

theory

well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses, enabling scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations

graduated cylinder

used to measure the volume of liquids / transfer liquids

electronic balance

used to measure the weight of something (measured in grams)

thermometer

an instrument used for measuring and indicating temperature

magnitude

measurement of how large a quantity is

volume

the amount of space occupied by a substance (measured with a beaker, flask, graduated cylinder)

mass

the amount that something weighs (measured with an electronic scale)

length

the amount of distance between two points (measured with a meter stick, ruler)

temperature

the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (measured with a thermometer)

meter

standard unit of measurement used to label the length of an object

liter

standard unit of measurement used to label the volume of a substance

gram

standard unit of measurement used to label the weight of an object