Science Words
Scientific Inquiry The ways scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on gathered evidence
Hypothesis A possible explanation for a set of observations or answers to a scientific question. Must be testable.
Observation Information gathered by our senses
Experiment A way of testing a hypothesis
Variable A factor that can be changed in an experiment – Manipulated (Independent) variable: a factor changed by the tester – Responding (Dependent) variable: a factor that was changed by changing something else in an experiment
Control The standard in which something is compared in an experiment
Data Observations or measurements taken in an experiment
Analysis Making sense of or organizing data from an experiment
Conclusion Determining if a hypothesis is true or not. It is what was learned from an experiment
Scientific Theory A widely accepted, well tested explanation of observations based on available evidence
Scientific Law A rule or principle describing a physical relationship that always work under the same conditions