Scientific Inquiry Vocabulary

1. Scientific Inquiry Vocabulary

2. A prediction forecasts the outcome of an experiment, but does not include an explanation. Predict

3. I predict that fertilizer will help plants grow taller. Predict -Example

4. A testable experiment is one that can actually be investigated. *There is enough knowledge and technology in order to perform a test. Testable (scientifically testable)(Testability)

5. Whenever you create a hypothesis, it must be testable and you must be able to analyze it with current technology. Testable (scientifically testable)(Testability) Example

6. A tentative explanation that can be tested and is based on observation and/or scientific knowledge gained from research. Hypothesis

7. Hypothesis Example If the amount of fertilizer given to a plant is increased, then the growth of the plant will increase because fertilizer provides plants with the nutrients it needs.

8. INFERENCES use observations to draw conclusions about a given situation. They can change as more observations are gathered. Inference

9. I observe that when I place 2 drops of iodine on baking powder, it changes to a deep purple color. My inference is a chemical reaction occurred (it IS a chemical change). Inference Example

10. What one has described using senses or measurement instruments. Systematic Observations are those made to ensure validity of an experiment (Primarily Quantitative Observations). Observation/Systematic Observation

11. When I dropped a small amount of iodine on to baking powder, I observed that it turned purple. Observation/Systematic Observation example

12. Any factor that stays the same in an experiment. Controlled Variable(Constant)

13. When testing how the amount of salt affects the boiling time of water, the pot, the amount of water, the amount of heat, are all controlledvariables or constants. Controlled Variable(Constant) Example

14. The factor in an experiment that the investigator chooses to change or monitor intentionally. Test Variable (Independent Variable or Manipulating Variable)

15. When testing how the amount of salt affects the boiling time of water, the investigator is intentionally changing the amount of salt in the water; Amount of salt is the test variable. Test Variable (Independent Variable or Manipulating Variable) Example

16. The factor in an experiment that is changed by the Test Variable. Outcome Variable (Dependent Variable or Responding Variable)

17. When testing how the amount of salt affects the boiling time of water, the amount of salt affects the time it takes the water to boil. The time the water takes to boil is the outcome variable. Outcome Variable (Dependent Variable or Responding Variable) Example

18. An unchanged group that is used to detect hidden variables (unanticipated causes). An investigator uses this to compare results. Control Group(Control)

19. When testing how the amount of salt affects the boiling time of water, the investigator will have one trial that s/he will have a pot with NO salt to compare the results to. This is the Control Group. Control Group (Control) Example

20. Trials During an experiment, each time you perform a test, it is called a trial. Scientific investigations should both have repeated trials and be replicable

21. When calculating the speed of a marble down a slope, an investigator must perform more than one trial in order to have reliable results. Trials Example

22. Repetition occurs when the ORIGINAL investigator repeats an investigation. The same results must be obtained for the original results to be reliable. Repetition

23. When calculating the speed of a marble down a slope, one investigator must repeat multiple trials and collect similar, if not same, results. Repetition Example

24. Replication occurs when other scientists use similar methods to conduct a similar investigation and obtain similar results. Replication

25. When calculating the speed of a marble down a slope, the same results must be replicated by ALL investigators for the results to be reliable. Replication example

26. Facts or figures to be processed; evidence, records, statistics, etc. from which conclusions can be inferred Data

27. When calculating the speed of a marble down a slope, you must record the following data: The time (start/finish) and the distance traveled. Data example

28. Cumulative body of observations of natural phenomenon on which scientific explanations are based. Empirical Evidence

29. EmpiricalEvidenceis observation gained by “doing” science.” Next week, you will gain empirical evidence about craters when you perform your experiment. Empirical Evidence Example

30. The quality of being correct or true Valid(Validity)

31. An experiment is only valid if it has been established that there is only ONE test variable. Valid(Validity) Example

32. Determining:patterns in the data (e.g. increases, decreases, fluctuations).inconsistencies in the data (e.g. extreme highs and lows).What does the data show? Analyze(Data Analysis)

33. When analyzingdata in my marble experiment, I determined that in trial 3, the marble rolled substantially faster than the other trials. I recalculated to see that I made an error. I’m glad I did! Now my results are more accurate. Analyze(Data Analysis) Example

34. After analyzing data, an investigator determines if his/her hypothesis was supported with the data…. S/he then writes a statement and supports it with data. Conclusion

35. My conclusion is that the steeper the slope, the faster the marble will roll. My hypothesis (if the slope of a hill is increased, the speed of my marble will increase because there is more potential energy to be converted to kinetic energy) was supported….(include actual data). Conclusion Example

36. TESTABILITY, ACCURACY, VALIDITY, and RELIABILITY – What’s the Difference, and why are they important?

37. Testable (Testability) – * Can the hypothesis be supported or falsified through experimentation? *Does current science provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and technology to perform the experiment? *Do you, as a seventh/eighth grade student, have the necessary knowledge, skills, and technology to perform the experiment? *Can the hypothesis be supported or falsified through research of the existing body of science?

38. Accurate (Accuracy) –*Are measurements taken correctly?*Are materials and equipment utilized correctly? *Is equipment functioning properly? *Is correct procedure followed?

39. Valid (Validity) –* Are steps taken to keep all variables constant (constants) except the one being manipulated (the independent variable)? *Is a control utilized to detect hidden variables (unanticipated causes)? *Are hidden variables detected that could change the observed response (the dependent variable)?

40. Reliable (Reliability) –*Can the experiment be repeated multiple times with the same results? *Is the experiment replicable by other scientists with the same resulting outcome?