What is Science?
What is the study of the natural world through observation and experimentation called?
Science
What is the first step in the scientific method, where you notice something in the world around you?
Make an observation
What are the two main types of data collected in an experiment?
Qualitative and quantitative data
What is the term for a well-tested explanation of natural phenomena that is supported by a large body of evidence?
Scientific theory
In an experiment, what do you call the group that does not receive the independent variable and is used for comparison?
Control group
Science relies on collecting and analyzing __________ to understand natural phenomena.
Data
What is a testable prediction made based on observations and research called?
Hypothesis
What type of data is based on numbers and measurements, like length or temperature?
Quantitative data
Which characteristic of science requires scientists to avoid letting personal beliefs or feelings influence their results?
Objectivity
What is the factor being measured or observed in an experiment, which responds to changes in the independent variable?
Dependent variable
What term describes information gathered using the five senses or scientific instruments?
Observation
After gathering data from an experiment, what step involves analyzing the information and deciding whether your hypothesis was correct?
State your conclusion
What is the term for data collected through direct observation and experimentation, forming the basis of scientific conclusions?
Empirical evidence
What scientific principle ensures that an experiment's results can be trusted if other scientists can repeat the experiment and get the same results?
Replication
What should a scientist do if their experimental results do not support their original hypothesis?
Revise the hypothesis and test again
Science is limited to studying things that can be tested and measured. What is the term for this limitation?
The scope of science
In an experiment, what is the variable called that is changed or manipulated to test its effects?
Independent variable
When scientists repeat an experiment multiple times to ensure consistency, what type of reliability are they testing?
Repetition
What is the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory?
A scientific law describes what happens in nature, while a scientific theory explains why it happens.
When writing a conclusion, what two things should be addressed based on the results of the experiment?
Whether the hypothesis was supported and an explanation of the findings
What is the process called when scientists critically evaluate each other's work to ensure accuracy and validity?
Peer review
What term describes the detailed step-by-step plan that outlines how an experiment will be conducted, including materials and methods?
Procedures
What is the practice of critically analyzing sources to determine whether the information is credible, up-to-date, and based on strong evidence called?
Evaluating reliable sources
One of the 5 characteristics of science is skepticism. What does it mean for a scientist to be skeptical?
A scientist questions claims and requires evidence before accepting them as true.
What is the importance of identifying constants in an experiment, and how do they differ from the independent variable?
Constants are factors that must stay the same to ensure that the independent variable is the only factor affecting the outcome. They ensure a fair test.