Methods of Science - Lessons 1, 2, and 3 vocab list

Science

is the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations

observation

the act of using one or more of your senses to gather information and taking note of what occurs

inference

is a logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience

hypothesis

is a possible explanation for observation that can be tested by scientific investigations

predictions

is a statement of what will happen next in a sequence of events

technology

is the practical use of scientific knowledge, especially for industrial or commercial use

scientific theory

is an explanation of observations or events that is based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations

scientific law

is a rule that describes a pattern in nature

critical thinking

comparing what you already know with the information you are given in order to decide whether you agree with it

description

is a spoken or written summary of observations

explanation

is an interpretation of observations

international systeam of units (SI)

is the internationally accepted system for measurement

significant digits

are the number of digits in a measurement that you know with a certain degree or reliability

variable

is any factor that can have more than one value

independent variable

is the factor that you want to test. it is changed by the investigator to observe how it affects a dependent variable

dependent variable

is the factor you observe or measure during an experiment