The Methods of Science Vocabulary

1. The Methods of ScienceVocabulary

2. 1 A statement to investigate a claim or the cause(s) or effect(s) of an observed phenomenon through experimentation. Problem Statement Example 1: Does Jolly fruit juice contain the 100% daily value of Vitamin C as claimed. Example 2: What is causing the massive fish kill off of the Oregon coastline? Example 3: What effect does zero gravity have on bone density?

3. 2 Process of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful and orderly way. Observations Senses: Smell, Taste, Touch, Sight, Sound

4. 3 Logical conclusions based on available information. Inferences Observe Infer State Cause & Effect

5. 4 Based on logical reasoning, it is a possible explanation for a set of observations that can be tested. Rationale-based hypothesis Fairy Rings

6. 4 Based on logical reasoning, it is a possible explanation for a set of observations that can be tested. Rationale-based hypothesis Observation: Leaves change color in the Fall, when daylight steadily decreases and temperatures get cooler. H1: Cooler temperatures trigger the color change. H2: Decreasing daylight triggers the color change.

7. 5 A statement of what outcomes to expect prior running an experiment. Prediction Before After Counterintuitive result: Time to rethink the Hypothesis!

8. 6 The proposition that implies any effect or relationship between phenomena is purely accidental and is not due to systematic causes. Null hypothesis Ho: There is no significant difference in the way boys and girls carry books.

9. 7 The independent variable. The factor in a controlled experiment that is deliberately changed. Manipulated Variable What might be the manipulated variable? Fertilizer concentration

10. 8 The dependent variable. The variable that is observed and changes in response to the manipulated variable. Responding Variable What might be the Responding variable? Rate of growth

11. 9 AKA constants. Factors that do not change when other variables change. Controlled variables All of these samples have the same … -type of container -amount of water -kind of soil -species of plant -amount of light -temperature

12. 10 An experiment in which only one variable is changed. Controlled experiment Fertilizer concentration

13. 11 AKA experimental group. The part of a controlled experiment which contains the manipulated variable. Experimental set-up Arabidopis seedlings Normal strain Mutant strain

14. 12 AKA control group or experimental control: The part of an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental set-up except for one independent variable. Control set-up Arabidopis seedlings Normal strain Mutant strain

15. 13 A detailed, step-by-step set of directions to recreate the experiment for anyone. Procedure

16. 14 The values of a factor to be sampled in an experiment. How many levels are in this experiment? Experimental levels Five: There appear to be five different levels or concentrations of fertilizer used.

17. 15 The act of running an experiment and collecting data. Trials Look carefully. How many trials are in this experiment? Two. There are two rows of pots.

18. 16 Equipment used in a laboratory or elsewhere for experiments or scientific study. Apparatus

19. 17 This refers to any error that can occur in an experiment. Sample size Uncertainty Parallax Reaction time Instrument calibration Instrument precision

20. 18 Data which can be measured and expressed as a number. Quantitative data

21. 19 Data which can be observed and described, but not measured. Qualitative data

22. 20 The process of using data to make calculations. Data Processing

23. 21 Displaying data in the form of tables and charts. Tables Charts Data Presentation

24. 22 Describing trends and observations in data by comparing and contrasting charts. Experimental results As time continues, what trend is evident?

25. 23 Interpreting data for cause and effect relationships. This involves accepting, rejecting, or modifying hypotheses. Conclusion What conclusion can be made if the experiment below were based on a null hypothesis? Air removed Air present

26. 24 Assessing the procedure and methods used, identifying sources of error, and suggesting modifications to improve the investigation. Evaluation

27. 25 Used to represent an idea, an object, or event that is too big, too small, too complex, or too dangerous to observe and test directly. Model Too small Too big Too complex Too dangerous

28. 26 A well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses, and enables scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations. Theory House cat Lion Cougar Tiger Cheetah Bobcat Inactive TAS1R2 “Sweet tooth” gene 6.7 mya Cat Evolution 7.2 mya 10.8 mya

29. 27 A statement or description about what happens in nature that seems to be true all the time; does not explain why or how something happens. Scientific Law Laws of Motion Law of Gravity Laws of Planetary Motion Law of Segregation Law of Natural Selection

30. 28 The application of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems, especially in industry and commerce. Technology

31. 29 Ethics in Science