Chap. 2 Key Terms Flashcards
observation
a piece of information we gather using our senses
hypothesis
a testable idea or explanation that leads to a scientific investigation
prediction
a logical statement about what will happen if the hypothesis is supported
experiment
a procedure designed to test a hypothesis under controlled conditions
variable
factor of interest
experimental group
the group that receives experimental treatment
control group
the group that does not receive the experimental treatment
data
the info that a scientist gathers during an experiment
correlations
associations between two or more events
statistics
the collection and classification of data that are in the form of numbers
mean
the number obtained by adding the data for a characteristic and dividing this sum by the number of individuals
distribution
the relative arrangement of the members of a statistical population
probability
the chance that something will happen
sample
a group of individuals or events selected to represent the population
risk
the probability of an unwanted outcome
models
representations of objects or systems
conceptual model
a verbal or graphical explanation of how a system works or is organized
mathematical model
one or more equations that represents the way a system or process works
values
principles or standards we consider important
decision making model
a conceptual model that provides a systematic process for making decisions
