Scientific Inquiry Vocabulary

Front 1

research plan

Back 1

the initial stage of an experiment that involves finding background information, developing a hypothesis and divising an experimental method for testing the hypothesis

Front 2

assumption

Back 2

something accepted as true that may or may not be true

Front 3

scientific literacy

Back 3

a basic knowledge of the natural world combined with an understanding of diverse ways that scientists gain knowledge

Front 4

dependent variable

Back 4

the measured variable

Front 5

observation

Back 5

any information that is collected with any of the senses

Front 6

conclusion

Back 6

the decision made about the out come of an experiment; usually based on how well the actual result matches the prediction

Front 7

inference

Back 7

a conclusion or deduction based on observations

Front 8

experiment

Back 8

a series of trials or tests that are done to support of refure a hypothesis

Front 9

model

Back 9

a representation used to explain or demonstrate a process or structure; or also used to predict what might occur in a new situation

Front 10

opinion

Back 10

ideas people have that may or may not be based in fact

Front 11

bias

Back 11

tendency to favor something; prejudice

Front 12

independent variable

Back 12

a factor that might influence the dependent variable in an experiment; the manipulated variable

Front 13

peer review

Back 13

the process by which scientists carefully examine the work of other scientists to look for flaws in their experimental design or their interpretation of results

Front 14

evidence

Back 14

support for the idea that something is true

Front 15

control

Back 15

that group in an experiment in which everything except the variable to be tested is identical; the standard of comparison in an experiment

Front 16

hypothesis

Back 16

a statement that predicts a relationship between cause and effect in a way that can be tested

Front 17

data

Back 17

the result of specific trials or tests completed during experiments

Front 18

controlled experiment

Back 18

an experiment in which all variables except for the one being tested are exactly the same

Front 19

validity

Back 19

proven based on strong evidence

Front 20

contamination

Back 20

to make impure or unsuitable by contact or mixture with something unclean, bad, etc.