Chapter 1 - What is Science?

Question 1

science

Answer 1

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

Question 2

observing

Answer 2

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

Question 3

quantitative observation

Answer 3

An observation that deals with a number or amount.

Question 4

qualitative observation

Answer 4

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

Question 5

inferring

Answer 5

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

Question 6

predicting

Answer 6

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

Question 7

classifying

Answer 7

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

Question 8

evaluating

Answer 8

Comparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them.

Question 9

making models

Answer 9

The process of creating representations of complex objects or processes.

Question 10

skepticism

Answer 10

An attitude of doubt.

Question 11

ethics

Answer 11

The rules that enable people to know right from wrong.

Question 12

personal bias

Answer 12

An outlook influenced by a person’s likes and dislikes.

Question 13

cultural bias

Answer 13

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

Question 14

experimental bias

Answer 14

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

Question 15

objective

Answer 15

Describes the act of decision making or drawing conclusions based on available evidence.

Question 16

subjective

Answer 16

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

Question 17

deductive reasoning

Answer 17

A way to explain things by starting with an idea or rule and then applying the idea to a specific observation.

Question 18

inductive reasoning

Answer 18

Using specific observations to make generalizations or a rule.

Question 19

scientific inquiry

Answer 19

The ongoing process of discovery in science.

Question 20

hypothesis

Answer 20

A possible explanation for a set of observations.

Question 21

variable

Answer 21

A factor that can change in an experiment.

Question 22

manipulated variable

Answer 22

The one factor that a scientist changes during an experiment; AKA independent variable.

Question 23

responding variable

Answer 23

The factor that changes as a result of changes to the manipulated or independent variable; AKA dependent variable.

Question 24

controlled experiment

Answer 24

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

Question 25

data

Answer 25

Facts, numbers, and other evidence gained through observations.

Question 26

scientific theory

Answer 26

A well tested explanation for a wide range of scientific data.

Question 27

scientific law

Answer 27

A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen without explaining why.