Scientific Method Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms and definitions related to the scientific method and conducting experiments based on the lecture transcript.

Scientific Method

A step-by-step way that scientists ask and answer questions by doing experiments.

Observation

Using your senses (like seeing or hearing) to learn about something.

Question

Something you ask because you want to learn more or find out why something happens.

Hypothesis

An educated guess you make about what you think will happen in an experiment.

Experiment

A test you do to see if your hypothesis is right.

Independent Variable

The one thing in an experiment that you change on purpose.

Dependent Variable

What you measure in an experiment; it changes because of what you did.

Controlled Variable (Constant)

Things that stay the same in an experiment so the test is fair.

Data

Facts, numbers, or information you collect during an experiment.

Conclusion

What you learn from your experiment and data

Inference

A guess you make based on what you already know and what you observe.

Trial

One time you do an experiment. You usually do more than one trial to be sure.

Qualitative Observation

An observation that describes qualities using the senses

Quantitative Observation

An observation that involves measuring or counting (numbers!)

Research

The process of investigating a topic to answer questions or solve problems.

Control group

A group in an experiment that nothing is done to and is used to compare the other groups

Repeat

It is the last step in the scientific process where others repeat what you did in your experiment to see if they get the same results.