CIS2-3 Science Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental scientific concepts, experimental design terms, and measurement systems from the lecture notes.

Science

A body of knowledge based on the study of nature.

theory

An explanation of natural phenomenon based on many observations over time.

law

Relationships under certain conditions in nature.

peer review

A process in which the procedures used during an experiment may be repeated and the results are evaluated by scientists in the same field.

Ethics

A set of values.

Observation

An orderly, direct gathering of information about a natural phenomenon.

Inference

An assumption based on prior experience.

Scientific method

A series of problem-solving procedures that might include observations and forming hypotheses.

hypothesis

A testable explanation of a situation.

expirement

A procedure performed in a controlled setting to test a hypothesis and collect precise data.

Control group

In a controlled experiment, the group not receiving the factor being tested.

experimental group

In a controlled experiment, the group receiving the factor being tested.

Independent variable

The one factor that can be changed in a controlled experiment.

Dependent variable

The factor being measured in a controlled experiment, whose value changes because of changes to the independent variable.

Constant

A factor that remains fixed during an experiment while the independent and dependent variables change.

Data

Quantitative or qualitative information gained from scientific investigation.

Metric System

A measurement system whose divisions are powers of ten.

SI

A system of measurements used by scientists, which is an abbreviation of the International System of Units.