Unit 1 Vocab 1 Experimental Design

Question 1

Testable Question

Answer 1

Questions that can be answered by experiments or observation

Question 2

Non-testable Question

Answer 2

Questions that can NOT be answered through observation or experiments

Question 3

Quantitative

Answer 3

Describing something using numbers

Question 4

Qualitative

Answer 4

Describing something with characteristics and how they change

Question 5

Trials

Answer 5

The act of testing by experience; proof; test

Question 6

Observation

Answer 6

The act of attentive watching, perceiving, or noticing

Question 7

Empirical Evidence

Answer 7

The information obtained through observation and documentation of certain behavior and patterns or through an experiment

Question 8

Data

Answer 8

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis

Question 9

Models in science

Answer 9

A physical and/or mathematical and/or conceptual representation of a system of ideas, events or processes

Question 10

Analogy

Answer 10

Similarity of function and superficial resemblance of structures that have different origins

Question 11

Prototype

Answer 11

An original model on which something is patterned OR
an archetype; a primitive form regarded as the basis of a group

Question 12

Hypothesis

Answer 12

An idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proved

Question 13

Variable

Answer 13

Anything that can change or be changed within an experiment OR any characteristic

Question 14

Procedure

Answer 14

an established or official way of doing something

Question 15

Precision

Answer 15

the quality, condition, or fact of being exact and accurate

Question 16

Accuracy

Answer 16

the quality or state of being correct or precise

Question 17

Scientific Method

Answer 17

The process of objectively establishing facts through testing and experimentation
7 steps:Question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, Conclusion, and Communication

Question 18

Control

Answer 18

an element that remains unchanged or unaffected by other variables

Question 19

Constant

Answer 19

The factors that do not change during the experiment

Question 20

Predict

Answer 20

To declare or indicate in advance a possible outcome of a scientific test

Question 21

Infer

Answer 21

The process of drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning

Question 22

Independent Variable

Answer 22

A variable that stands alone and isn’t changed by the other variables you are trying to measure

Question 23

Dependent Variable

Answer 23

what you measure in the experiment and what is affected during the experiment

Question 24

Manipulated Variable

Answer 24

A factor that is purposefully and specifically changed by the experimenter

Question 25

Responding Variable

Answer 25

The factor that is measured by the scientist as a result of the effects of the manipulated variable

Question 26

Sample size

Answer 26

The number of participants or observations included in a study

Question 27

Validity

Answer 27

The degree to which a study or questionnaire accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept that the researcher is attempting to measure

Question 28

Trends in data

Answer 28

Describes the general direction of change of some variable

Question 29

Correlation

Answer 29

Describes the relationship between variables

Question 30

Variability

Answer 30

Describes how far apart data points lie from each other and from the center of a distribution

Question 31

Mass

Answer 31

The amount of matter or substance that makes up an object

Question 32

Volume

Answer 32

The quantity of three-dimensional space occupied by a liquid, solid, or gas

Question 33

Weight

Answer 33

The Gravitational force with which the Earth attracts the masses towards its center

Question 34

Percent

Answer 34

A relative value indicating hundredth parts of any quantity

Question 35

Rate

Answer 35

A specific kind of ratio, in which two measurements are related to each other

Question 36

Ratio

Answer 36

A comparison in terms of a quotient of two numbers a and b, usually written as ab or a/b

Question 37

Line graph

Answer 37

a graph that uses lines to connect individual data points

Question 38

Bar Graph

Answer 38

a type of graph in which each column (plotted either vertically or horizontally) represents a categorical variable

Question 39

Pie Graph

Answer 39

shows data as slices of a pie with the data being percentages of the whole

Question 40

Scatter-plot

Answer 40

identifies a possible relationship between changes observed in two different sets of variables

Question 41

Claim

Answer 41

a generalization based on a reported statistically significant effect

Question 42

Evidence

Answer 42

information collected via rigorous scientific methods that changes their belief in the truth of factual claims of the first to the fourth kind

Question 43

Reason

Answer 43

a problem-solving process that involves critical thinking in relation to content, procedural, and epistemic knowledge

Question 44

Theory

Answer 44

a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses and facts

Question 45

Bias

Answer 45

a flaw in the study design or the method of collecting or interpreting information