The Nature of Science Flashcards
Bias
a systematic deviation between observations or interpretations of data and an accurate description of a phenomenon
constant
A quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.
control
one in which the subject or a group would not be tested for the dependent variable
Density
mass of a unit volume of a material substance.
dependent variable
the variable that is being measured or tested in an experiment.
experiment
a scientific test in which you perform a series of actions and carefully observe their effects
graph
a diagram (as a series of one or more points, lines, line segments, curves, or areas) that represents the variation of a variable in comparison with
hypothesis
an idea that proposes a tentative explanation about a phenomenon or a narrow set of phenomena observed in the natural world
Independent variable
the characteristic of a psychology experiment that is manipulated or changed by researchers
mass
A measure of the amount of matter contained in or constituting a physical body.
model
a physical and/or mathematical and/or conceptual representation of a system of ideas, events or processes.
scientific law
In general, a scientific law is the description of an observed phenomenon.
scientific method
a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.
standard
a reference that is used to calibrate measurements
technology
the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.
