Scientific Method Flashcards
Scientific Method
The way scientists study and learn about the world.
Observation
Using your five senses to gather information about something.
Qualitative Observation
Using your senses to describe the characteristics of an object-color, texture, taste. Examples: -Smooth texture - Brightly colored - Smells bad
Quantitative Observation
Using numbers or measurements to describe something Examples: - 10 meters -450 milliliters - 176 grams
Inference
An explanation of an observation based on prior knowledge.
Hypothesis
A prediction based on prior knowledge. Always written in an if then statement.
Example:
IF I put the ice cube in the sun,
THEN the ice cube will melt.
Variable
Any factor that can be manipulated, controlled for, or measured in an experiment.
Control Variable
What must stay the same in the experiment.
Manipulated/Independent Variable
The thing that you are testing or changing in an experiment and it is graphed on the X-axis.
Dependent/Responding Variable
What you are measuring or observing in an experiment and it is graphed on the Y-axis.
C-E-R
Claim Evidence Reasoning
Claim
Is the answer to the question you are trying to answer.
Evidence
Scientific data that supports your claim.
Reasoning
The how or why the evidence supports our claim: scientific rule
Conclusion
A written summary of an experiment that uses evidence to prove what you learned.