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SCIENCE
Experimental Design Vocab
12
Science
8th Grade
09/20/2012

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Term
scientific method
Definition
a systematic way of trying to answer a question, involving asking questions, coming up with possible answers and doing experiments to see if those answers are correct.
Term
observation
Definition
information gathered through any of your five senses:  seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting
Term
technology
Definition

any tool that is used to help us solve problems or do work. 

Computers are technology but so is a screwdriver

Term
hypothesis
Definition
a possible answer to a scientific question, based on your knowledge of the subject and your best thinking skills
Term
manipulated (independent) variable
Definition
the ONE THING that the scientist deliberately changes in the experiment, so he/she can see what will happen
Term
dependent variable
Definition
what the scientist watches for change in, after he/she has changed the manipulated variable.  It is the "effect" in the "cause and effect"
Term
constant
Definition
things that experimenter try to keep the same all throughout an experiment; without constants, you don't REALLY know "why" there is a change in the dependent variable
Term
control group
Definition
in some experiments, there is one group that gets no change at all in the manipulated variable...in other words they are just observed, they don't have anything change in the manipulated variable
Term
data
Definition
any of the information that comes from observations
Term
inference
Definition

a combination of data and using your thinking skills. 

"The juice is purple" is an observation.  "It is grape juice" is an inference, based on both seeing that the juice is purple and your knowledge that purple juice is often grape juice.

Term
conclusion
Definition
a summary of what you found out in your experiment; it is a combination of the data andyour inferences you make
Term
model
Definition
an object that helps you to understand things that are too small or too large to be observed easily.  You can use models of cells to compare animal and plant cells, or you can use a model of a skyscraper to test how well a building can handle an earthquake
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