Scientific Inquiry And Skills Flashcards
evidence
support for the idea that something is true
inference
conclusion or deduction based on obervations
assumption
something that is accepted as true, but may or may not actually be true
opinions
ideas people have that may or may not be based on fact
biased
tendency to favor something, prejudice
scientific literacy
a basic knowledge of the natural world combined with an understanding of the diverse ways that scientists gain knowledge
research plan
the initial stage of an experiment that involves finding background information, developing a hypothesis, and devising an experimental method for testing a hypothesis
hypothesis
a statement that predicts a relationship between cause and effect in a way that can be tested
dependent variable
the part of an experiment that is measured to test the hypothesis
independent variable
factor that might influence the dependent variable in an experiment, factor that is purposely changed by the experimenter
control
group in an experiment in which everything - except the variable to be tested - is identical; the standard of comparison in an experiment
controlled experiment
experiment in which all variables - except the one being tested - are exactly the same
data
results of specific trials or tests completed during experiments
conclusion
the decision made about the outcome of an experiment; usually based on how well the actual results matches the predicted result
model
representation used to explain or demonstrate a process or structure; also used to predict what might occur in a new situation
