Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
32 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
SCIENTIFIC PROCESS
|
* a way to solve a problem
* no set steps * includes asking questions, making inferences, making observations, experimenting, data collection, analyzing data, communicating results |
|
SCIENTIFICALLY LITERATE
|
* can describe/explain natural things
* can read and understand science articles in every day print * can identify science issues of importance at the local, state or national level and talk about them with positions that are scientifically accurate * can find the bias in science information presented * can find the science information necessary to do all of the above |
|
TESTABLE QUESTION
|
* can do an experiment to answer based on observations
* uses "what if" or "how does a change in this affect that" format * ends with a ? |
|
OBSERVATION
|
* detected using 5 senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, sound)
* if repeated = facts * if good = evidence * 2 types: qualitative (words) and quantitative (counting or measuring = numbers) |
|
INFERENCE
|
* attempt to explain observations * logical prediction of what will happen
* clue word = "because" * can become a hypothesis |
|
TESTABLE HYPOTHESIS
|
* based on testable question
* logical prediction about the results of a testable question * can be challenged (experiment) * written in form of "IF ... THEN ..." statement |
|
EXPERIMENT
|
* test used to disprove a hypothesis
* detailed set of steps * controlled |
|
MULTIPLE TRIALS
|
* doing same test several times
* helps eliminate bias * trial = single test of one value of I.V. |
|
DATA
|
* information
* gathered using: observations, experiments, research * can be qualitative or quantitative * negative data = good data too! |
|
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
|
* AKA manipulated variable
* part of experiment that scientist changes on purpose * the "IF" part of the hypothesis * values set by scientist - usually @ regular intervals |
|
DEPENDENT VARIABLE
|
*AKA responding variable
* part of experiment that changes because of I.V. * the "THEN" part of the hypothesis * depends on the I.V. |
|
CONSTANTS
|
* AKA "controlled variables"
* stay the same throughout experiment * DO NOT include the measurement tools! |
|
CONTROL
|
* experiment performed w/o the I.V. or with the I.V. set at "normal" levels
* basis for comparison of the I.V. results in the experiment |
|
CONTROL GROUP
|
* group exposed to the I.V. at "normal" levels or no I.V. at all
|
|
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP
|
* group exposed to the I.V.
|
|
INTERPRETING RESULTS
|
* analyzing results
* evaluating the outcome * making sense of what happened |
|
CONCLUSIONS
|
* @ end of experiment
* answers the ?'s: do observations support hypothesis? * stress key points * summarizes * makes predictions for future tests * recommends course of action * compares results of others * discusses possible bias and attempts to eliminate it |
|
COMMUNICATING RESULTS
|
* making answers public
* others can try to duplicate it * challenge it * scrutinize it * build on it |
|
BIAS
|
* prejudiced presentation of material
* showing a preference for or against an idea, person or object * being subjective * telling only one side of the story (data) |
|
SUBJECTIVE
|
* biased
* adding feelings, motivations to observations |
|
OBJECTIVE
|
* describing only the facts
|
|
SAMPLE
|
* group of units selected from a larger group that are then tested or measured for an experiment
|
|
SAMPLING BIAS
|
* group selected does not represent population in study
* group is not appropriate for the experiment |
|
SAMPLE SIZE BIAS
|
* group selected is not big enough to represent population
|
|
SAMPLE SELECTION BIAS
|
* group selected does not accurately represent the population needing to be tested
|
|
MEASUREMENT BIAS
|
* making mistakes in measurement techniques
* using the wrong environment(setting) for the experiment * not properly controlling the experiment |
|
CONFIRMATION BIAS
|
* searching for info. that only supports your views
* using data that confirms (supports) the outcome you want * personal bias |
|
MEAN
|
* the average
* most commonly used measure of central tendency * add up all the values an divide by how many there were |
|
MEDIAN
|
* the number in the middle
* splits data set in half * set up data in order from lowest to highest then find the number in the middle |
|
MODE
|
* value that occurs most often
|
|
LAW
|
* describes how something in nature works (under certain conditions)
* statement of fact * expected to happen * tested repeatedly * supported by lots of evidence * often a formula * seldom changed * ex = Newton's Laws of Motion |
|
THEORY
|
* explains how the natural world works in specific circumstances
* uses a variety of support (facts, laws, predictions, tested hypotheses) * tested repeatedly * supported by lots of evidence * considered fact * seldom changed * Ex = Germ Theory, Theory of Plate Tectonics, Theory of Evolution |