Science Chapter 1 Vocab

Science

A way of learning about the natural world through observations and logical reasoning; leads to a body of knowledge.

Observing

The process of using one or more of your senses to gather information.

Quantitative Observation

An observation that deals with a number or amount.

Qualitative Observation

An observation that deals with characteristics that cannot be expressed in numbers.

Inferring

The process of making an inference, an interpretation based on observations and prior knowledge.

Predicting

The process of forecasting what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence.

Classifying

The process of grouping together items that are alike in some way.

Evaluating

Comparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them.

Making Models

The process of creating representations of complex models or processes.

Skepticism

An attitude of doubt.

Ethics

The study of principles about what is right and wrong, fair and unfair.

Personal Bias

An outlook based on a person’s likes and dislikes.

Cultural Bias

An outlook influenced by the beliefs, social forms, and traits of a group.

Experimental Bias

A mistake in the design of an experiment that makes a particular result more likely.

Objective

A lens that gathers light from an object and forms a real image.

Subjective

Describes the influence of personal feelings on a decision or conclusion.

Deductive Reasoning

A way to explain things by starting with a general idea and then applying that idea to a specific observation.

Inductive Reasoning

Using specific observations to make generalizations.

Scientific Inquiry

The ongoing process of discovery in science; the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on evidence they gather.

Hypothesis

A possible explanation for a set of observation or answer to a scientific questions; must be testable.

Variable

A factor that can change in an experiment.

Manipulated Variable

The one factor that a scientist changes during an experiment; also called the independent variable.

Responding Variable

The factor that changes as a result of changed to the manipulated, or independent, variable in an experiment; also called the dependent variable.

Controlled Experiment

An experiment in which only one variable in manipulated at a time.

Data

Facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations.

Scientific Theory

A well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results.

Scientific Law

A statement that describes what scientist expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions.