Scientific Method Vocabulary

Inference• An assumption based on facts or

observations, eventhough it is NOT stated

Observations

• Information gathered through the 5 senses--seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling

Question/Problem/Purpose

• What you are trying to find out

• Why the experiment is being done

• Usually written in the form of a question

Hypothesis or Prediction

• What you think will happen

• What do you think is the correct answer

• a probable solution to the problem based on knowledge you already have

Materials• Part of the experiment

• a list of supplies or tools that are used during the experiment

Procedures

• Step-by-step instructions

• What you will do to solve the problem

• How you will test the hypothesis

Data

• Information gathered in an experiment

• What you will look for during the experiment

• Charts, graphs, tables, diagrams

Conclusions

• A decision based on facts gathered during the experiment

• What the results of the experiment tell you about the problem and about your hypothesis

Communication or Theory

• When scientists (others) repeat an experiment over and over, and the results are similar (or validated), then the hypothesis becomes a theory

• Whenever an experiment is repeated and the results are validated, scientists (others) communicate (tell) their results to others

Independent Variable

• The part of the experiment (factor) that you, the experimenter, change and have control over

Dependent Variable• The experimental factor that changes

because during or as a result of the experiment, and you did NOT change yourself

Constants

• Things (factors) that stay the same during the entire experiment so that the dependent variable can be observed

Control Group

• A group in the experiment that is NOT changed by the experimenter

• The group in the experiment that is left alone

• The “natural” group

Experimental Group

• The group in the experiment that is changed by the person conducting the experiment

• The group that you work with