Thinking Like a Scientist
bias
a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment or prejudice
using specific observations to make generalizations
inductive reasoning
any variable that remains the same throughout an experiment
controlled variable
the factor that changes as a result of changes to the manipulated, or independent, variable in an experiment; also called the dependent variable
responding variable
data that can be described numerically
quantitative
a summary of what you have learned from an experiment
conclusion
a conclusion you draw about something that is not directly stated
inference
an experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time
controlled experiment
the ongoing process of discovery in science; the diverse ways in which scientists
scientific inquiry
data that describe qualities
qualitative
an attitude that is based on wondering or wanting to know more about something
curiosity
a logical way of thinking that is based on gathering and evaluating evidence
scientific reasoning
facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations
data
a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions
scientific law
The following statement describes qualitative data: 17 birds drank from the pond over the course of two hours.
false
a way to explain things by starting with a general idea and then applying the ideas to a specific observation
deductive reasoning
an attitude of doubt
skepticism
a possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question; must be testable
hypothesis
a factor that can change an experiment
variable
the measurement of how much mass of a substance is contained in a given volume
density
the rules that enable people to know right from wrong
ethics
describes the influence of personal feelings on a decision or conclusion
subjective
the one factor that a scientist changes during an experiment; also called the independent variable
manipulated variable
A student designs an experiment to determine the effect of sunlight on plant growth. He or she places three identical plants on three different window sills, which permit different amounts of sunlight exposure. Each plant receives the same amount of water each day. What is the responding variable in this experiment?
plant growth
measure of how much matter is in an object
mass