Unit 1: Science Skills Flashcards
hypothesis
Tentative explanation of how something works or of the cause of an event. It must be testable. Data collected supports or rejects its. It is a tested via objective observations.
theory
Arises from repeated observations and testing from different areas of science. It incorporates facts, laws, predictions, and tested hypotheses that are widely accepted and explain some aspect of the natural world.
experimental group
The group that receives the treatment (independent variable).
placebo
a pill, usually a sugar pill, that appears just like the actual treatment (independent variable) but does not contain the factor that is believed to have an affect. (ex. caffeine is a drug being studied, some patients would get a caffeine pill, while others would get a pill that looks like caffeine, but does not have caffeine in it.)
independent variable (IV)
The variable that is applied during an experiment. It is deliberately changed. Represented on the x-axis of a graph.
dependent variable (DV)
The variable that is observed or measured during the experiment. Represented on the y-axis of a graph.
control group
The experimental group that does not receive the independent variable (no treatment). Is used as a basis of comparison.
experimental constants
Factors that remain the same in all trials of the experimental group and the control group
data
Information collected during an experiment
quantitative
Data that contains quantities or numerical values
Qualitative
Data in the form of recorded descriptions (non-numerical)
observation
Objective information collected with the 5 senses
inference
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
analysis
interpretation of results/data
conclusion
a judgement is made based on the interpretation of the results
