Scientific Method Vocabulary

Question 1

Science and Engineering Practices

Answer 1

The way scientist study and learn about the world.

Question 2

Observation

Answer 2

Using your five senses to gather information about something.

Question 3

Qualitative Observation

Answer 3

Using your sense to describe the characteristics of an object-color, texture,taste.

Question 4

Quantitative Observation

Answer 4

Using numbers or measurements to describe something.

Question 5

Hypothesis

Answer 5

A prediction based on prior knowledge. Always written, in, an, if, then statement.

Question 6

Variable

Answer 6

Any factor can be manipulated, controlled for, or measured in an experiment,

Question 7

Control Variable

Answer 7

What must stay the same in the experiment.

Question 8

Manipulated/Independent Variable

Answer 8

The thing you are testing or changing in an experiment and it is graphed on the X-axis.

Question 9

Dependent/Responding Variable

Answer 9

What you are measuring or observing in an experiment and it is graphed on the Y-axis.

Question 10

C-E-R

Answer 10

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Question 11

Inference

Answer 11

An explanation of an observation based on prior knowledge.

Question 12

Claim

Answer 12

Is the answer to the question you are trying to answer.

Question 13

Evidence

Answer 13

Scientific data that supports your claim.

Question 14

Reasoning

Answer 14

The how or why the evidence supports our claim; scientific rule

Question 15

Conclusion

Answer 15

A written summary of an experiment that uses evidence to prove what you learned.