Understanding Science
investigation and exploration of natural events
science
the practical use of scientific knowledge
technology
spoken or written summary of observations
description
number of digits in a measurement that you know with a certain degree of reliability
significant digits
using one or more of your senses to gather information
observation
explanations of observations or events that is based on knowledge
scientific theory
an interpretation of observations
explanation
any factor that can have more than one value
variable
a logical explanation of an observation, drawn from prior knowledge
inference
a rule that describes a pattern in nature
scientific law
internationally accepted system for measurement
International System of Units (SI)
the factor you observe or measure during an experiment
dependent variable
possible explanation for an observation that can be tested
hypothesis
comparing what you already know with the information you are given to decide if you agree with it
critical thinking
how close a measurement is to an accepted or true value
accuracy
the factor that you want to test
independent variable
a statement about what will happen next
prediction
rules of conduct or moral principles
ethics
how similar or close measurements are to each other
precision
the factors in an experiment that do not change
constants