The Nature of Science - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on the nature of science, scientific method, and related topics.

Biology

The scientific study of life.

Observation

The process of noticing and describing phenomena in the natural world.

Question

A focused inquiry arising from observations to guide investigation.

Hypothesis

An informed, testable explanation for observations, often stated as if… then… predictions.

Null hypothesis

A default statement asserting no effect or difference used in hypothesis testing.

Independent variable

The variable deliberately changed by the experimenter to test its effect.

Dependent variable

The variable measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Control group

A group kept under standard conditions for baseline comparison; independent variable not applied.

Treatment group

Group(s) where the independent variable is applied or altered.

Experiment

A repeatable manipulation designed to test a hypothesis.

Descriptive study

An observational study that reports data about phenomena as they occur in nature.

Analytical study

An observational study focusing on patterns and explanations behind data.

Prediction

A statement about what will happen if the hypothesis is true, derived from the hypothesis.

Science

An evidence-based process for acquiring knowledge about the natural world, built from observations and experiments.

Peer review

Independent evaluation by experts to validate methods and conclusions before publication.

Self-correcting

A property of science where conclusions are revised in light of new evidence.

Evidence

Data or observations used to support or refute hypotheses and theories.

Fact (scientific)

A statement about the natural world that is directly observed and repeatedly confirmed.

Theory (scientific)

A well-supported, comprehensive explanation of phenomena that has withstood extensive testing.

Zoology

The scientific study of animals.

Botany

The scientific study of plants.

Reproducibility

The ability for experiments to be repeated by others and obtain similar results.