SEPS Flashcards
Scientific Method
The way scientist 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, and 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.
A prediction based on prior knowledge. Always written in an if then statement.
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.