scientific investigations

Scientific Investigations

Systematic approaches used to explore and understand the natural world, including experiments, observational studies, and correlational research.

Hypothesis

A clear, testable question or statement that guides a scientific investigation.

Methodology

A detailed plan outlining how data will be collected and analyzed in a scientific investigation.

Data Collection

The systematic gathering of data through observation, experimentation, or other methods.

Analysis

The process of examining collected data to identify patterns or relationships using statistical or qualitative techniques.

Communication

The sharing of findings from scientific investigations through reports, presentations, or publications.

Experimental Group

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

Control Group

A group that does not receive the experimental treatment, used as a baseline for comparison.

Random Assignment

The process of randomly assigning participants to different groups to ensure equivalence at the start of an experiment.

Causation

The establishment of cause-and-effect relationships through manipulation and control of variables.

Observational Study

A study where the researcher observes and records behavior or phenomena without manipulating any variables.

Correlational Research

Research examining the extent to which two or more variables are related, without determining causation.

Correlation does not imply causation

A principle stating that just because two variables are correlated, it does not mean that one causes the other.

Independent Variable

The variable manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical measure that describes the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.