Scientific Method Vocab

Question 0

Qualitative Observation

Answer 0

A general word description

Question 1

Observation

Answer 1

A detailed fact that you notice or experience using your 5 senses

Question 2

Quantitative Observation

Answer 2

A specific number description

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

An educated guess at the answer to your experimental questions.

Question 4

Variable

Answer 4

Anything that is changed or controlled as part of your experiment

Question 5

Control

Answer 5

Variables you try to hold constant to prevent them

affecting your experiment

Question 6

Experiment

Answer 6

An organized scientific process used to test a

hypothesis

Question 7

Independent variable

Answer 7

The variable that you change to see an effect – the

CAUSE; goes on the x-axis

Question 8

Dependent variable

Answer 8

The variable that changes as a result of your

experiment – the EFFECT; goes on the y-axis

Question 9

Mean

Answer 9

The average; the quotient of the sum of all the numbers divided by the number of numbers

Question 10

Range

Answer 10

The difference between the highest and the lowest

value

Question 11

Reliability

Answer 11

The ability to produce similar results under the

same conditions

Question 12

Bias

Answer 12

Something that can lead to false or inaccurate

results and conclusions