Understanding Science
investigation and exploration of natural events
science
explanations of observations or events that is based on knowledge
scientific theory
an interpretation of observations
explanation
the factor that you want to test
independent variable
uses words to describe what is observed
qualitative data
using one or more of your senses to gather information
observation
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
uses numbers to describe what is observed
quantitative data
a logical explanation of an observation, drawn from prior knowledge
inference
the practical use of scientific knowledge
technology
a method of writing very small or very large values in short form
scientific notation
the factors in an experiment that do not change
constants
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
the expression of error as a percentage of the accepted value
percent error
used to study how a change in the independent variable changes the dependent variable
experimental group
a statement about what will happen next
prediction
spoken or written summary of observations
description
any factor that can have more than one value
variable
contains the same factors as the experimental group, but the independent variable is not changed
control group