What is Science? Chapter 1, Lesson 1

Using one or more of your senses and tools to gather information. observing

Creating representations of complex objects or processes. (ex. mathematical equations) making models

Deals with numbers, or amounts. quantitative observation

Way of learning about the natural world. science

Deals with descriptions that cannot be expressed in numbers. qualitative observation

When you explain or interpret the things you observe. inferring

The grouping together of items that are alike in some way. classifying

Making a statement or a claim about what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence. predicting

Comparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them. evaluating

Bias that stems from a person’s likes and dislikes. personal bias

The act of making decisions and drawing conclusions based on available evidence. Objective

Having an attitude of doubt. skepticism

Using specific observations to make generalizations. inductive reasoning

The act of making decisions and drawing conclusions where personal feelings have been entered. subjective

Rules that enable people to know right from wrong. ethics

Type of reasoning that can lead to faulty conclusions. faulty reasoning

A way to explain things by starting with a general idea and then applying the idea to a specific observation. deductive reasoning

Bias that stems from the culture in which a person grows up. cultural bias

Scientific attitude used by good scientists when reporting their observations and results. honesty

A mistake in the design of an experiment that makes a particular result more likely. experimental bias

Scientific attitude that makes a scientist capable of accepting new and different ideas. open-mindedness

Scientific attitude that should be balanced by a scientist’s open- mindedness. skepticism

Scientific attitude that helps scientists come up with inventive ways to solve problems. creativity

Diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather. scientific inquiry

Possible answer to a scientific question (not a fact). hypothesis

What is needed before a hypothesis can be accepted as true. many trials

Factor that can change in an experiment. variable

Factor that is purposely changed to test a hypothesis. manipulated variable

Factor that may change in response to a manipulated variable. responding variable

Experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time. controlled experiment

Facts, figures and other evidence gathered through observation. data

Well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations. scientific theory

Statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions. Example – “All objects in the universe attract each other” scientific law

A summary of what is learned from an experiment. conclusion

Tool that can help you interpret data. graph

3 ways scientists communicate their results. publish articles talking at meetings internet