Scientific Method and Measurement Lecture Notes

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the scientific method, variables, SI units of measurement, and data graphing techniques based on the lecture transcript.

Scientific Method

The specific steps used by scientists to carry out an experiment, find answers to questions, or solve a problem.

Hypothesis

An educated guess or a statement formulated as step 2 of the scientific method, often predicting the outcome of an experiment.

Experiment

A procedure used to test a hypothesis where only ONE variable is changed at a time while everything else remains CONSTANT.

Control Group

The part of an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used as a basis for comparison.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the specific treatment being tested.

Independent Variable

The variable that the scientist controls, changes, or tests; it represents the "if" part of the experiment and is plotted on the X-axis.

Dependent Variable

The variable that changes in response to the independent variable; it represents the data collected, the "then" part of the experiment, and is plotted on the Y-axis.

Sample Size

The number of "things" included in each research group; a larger size makes the results more reliable and valid.

International System of Units (SI)

A standard system of measurements including the Meter, Gram, and Liter used so scientific experiments can be easily duplicated.

Milli-

A metric prefix used to measure very small objects, such as a penny.

Centi-

A metric prefix used to measure small objects, such as a book.

Kilo-

A metric prefix used to measure large objects.

Meter

The SI unit for length measurement, typically measured using a ruler or meter stick.

Liter

The SI unit for volume measurement, often measured using a graduated cylinder.

Meniscus

The curve at the upper surface of a liquid in a graduated cylinder, which must be read at eye level to determine volume.

Freezing Point of Water

$$0^\text{o} \text{C}$$

Boiling Point of Water

$$100^\text{o} \text{C}$$

Human Body Temperature

$$37^\text{o} \text{C}$$

Boiling Point of Ethanol

$$78^\text{o} \text{C}$$

Line Graph

A type of graph used for data that shows continuous change.

Bar Graph

A type of graph (or histogram) used for data that is categorized into disconnected groups.

Data

The information collected during an experiment, often organized into charts and graphs to communicate results.

Observations

Information gathered by scientists to help them formulate a hypothesis or collect data during an experiment.

Scale

A constant set of intervals on a graph axis, calculated by dividing the largest number in the data by the number of boxes available.