Working Scientifically - Vocab

Question 1

Aim / Purpose

Answer 1

A statement of the problem or question being investigated in an experiment

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

A proposed explanation for a set of observations based on reason that is being tested in an experiment

Question 3

Variable

Answer 3

Any factor that can change in an experiment

Question 4

Independent variable

Answer 4

The variable that is deliberately changed at the START of an experiment

Question 5

Dependent variable

Answer 5

The factor that is observed to change by the END of the experiment; it is thought to change due to the independent variable

Question 5

Controlled variables

Answer 5

Variables that are deliberately kept the same DURING an experiment

Question 6

Fair test

Answer 6

An experiment where only ONE independent variable is changed at the start, and all other variables are controlled. The dependent variable, therefore, changes because of the independent variable.

Question 6

Method / Procedure

Answer 6

The step-by-step instructions that are followed to carry out an experiment

Question 7

Results

Answer 7

A record of the observations taken during an experiment

Question 8

Discussion

Answer 8

Section of the scientific report where experiment results are interpreted and analysed

Question 9

Conclusion

Answer 9

A short summary of the findings in the experiment that answers the aim and either supports or doesn’t support the hypothesis

Question 10

Observation

Answer 10

Information collected by any of the five senses during an experiment

Question 11

Quantitative data

Answer 11

Data that is a measurement with numbers and units

Question 12

Qualitative data

Answer 12

Data that is descriptive and in words only

Question 13

First-hand data

Answer 13

Data that you have collected in your own experiment

Question 14

Second-hand data / Secondary data

Answer 14

Data that you have collected from another person or resource

Question 15

Average / Mean

Answer 15

The number calculated when all the ‘good’ values are added up and divided by how many there are

Question 16

Mistake

Answer 16

Something that goes wrong in an experiment, which could be avoided if the experiment was done with care

Question 17

Error

Answer 17

Small variation in a measurement that cannot be avoided, even with care

Question 18

Reliability

Answer 18

Refers to experiment results that are reproducible, within an acceptable margin, on repeated trials

Question 19

Resource list

Answer 19

A list of the sources of information that have been used by a person in writing a piece of work