Scientific Method Study Guide

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the steps of the scientific method, data types, experimental variables, and graphing categories.

Scientific Method

A process scientists use to investigate questions and solve problems, involving the following steps: $1.$ Ask a Question, $2.$ Do Background Research, $3.$ Construct a Hypothesis, $4.$ Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment, $5.$ Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion, and $6.$ Communicate Your Results.

Observation

Information obtained through your senses; in science, these can also involve measurements.

Inference

A conclusion you can draw from the details or observations you have.

Problem

What you start with in an experiment, usually written as a question that explains what you are trying to find out.

Background Research

Finding information or reading about your topic to learn more before creating your hypothesis.

Hypothesis

A logical prediction about a testable question; an educated guess that can be tested with an experiment, commonly formatted as "If ___ happens, then ___ will happen because ___."

Experiment

Conducting a test to investigate your question or hypothesis, including materials, a procedure, variables, observations, and data.

Procedure

The step-by-step instructions that tell you how to perform an experiment.

Materials

The equipment and supplies needed to perform an experiment.

Data Collection

The process of collecting and recording information during an experiment.

Data

Measurements and information gathered from observations and experiments.

Results

The data and observations gathered from the experiment.

Conclusion

The final part of an experiment where you explain what your results mean, answer your original question, and state whether your hypothesis was supported or not supported.

Qualitative Data

Data or observations that describe qualities or characteristics, usually involving the $5$ senses such as color, texture, smell, appearance, and feel.

Quantitative Data

Data or observations that can be expressed as an amount or number, usually involving counting or measuring items like height, mass, temperature, or time.

Variables

Any factors that can change and affect the outcome of an experiment.

Independent Variable (Manipulated Variable)

The variable that the experimenter purposely decides to change to see whether it causes an effect; there should only be $1$ independent variable.

Dependent Variable (Responding Variable)

The variable that responds to the change made to the independent variable; it is what you observe or measure.

Constants

The factors that are kept exactly the same throughout an experiment to ensure a fair test.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that is subjected to the independent variable; it is considered the "test" group.

Control Group

Something used for comparison during an experiment that does not receive the independent variable.

Theory

A well-supported explanation that has a lot of scientific evidence supporting it and has not been disproved.

Law

A statement that describes how something occurs in nature and has consistently been observed to happen.

Graph

A visual representation of data that helps in understanding and comparing information more easily.

Bar Graph

A graph where numerical values are represented by the height or length of bars of equal width, usually used to compare categories.

Line Graph

A graph that uses points connected by line segments to show changes, especially changes that occur over time.

Pie Graph

A graph that divides a circle into sections to show how parts make up a whole.

X-axis

The horizontal axis on a graph, which usually represents the independent variable.

Y-axis

The vertical axis on a graph, which usually represents the dependent variable.