1. Science Terms
TAKS Objective 1

2. def: Scientific Method
common procedures used by scientists to gather information used in problem solving and experimentation

3. def: Control Group
The part of the experiment in which all conditions are kept constant

4. def: Experimental group
In an experiment the group whose conditions are being changed

5. def: Hypothesis
Testable explanation of a question or problem

6. def: Trend
Description of the behavior of a variable or the relationship between two variables

7. def: Conclusion
A final statement summing up the results of an experiment, it should refer to the hypothesis

8. def: Independent Variable
Factor in an experiment the scientist purposely changes

9. def: Dependent Variable
Factor in an experiment that the scientist wants to observe, which may change as a result of other variables being changed

10. def: Qualitative data
Descriptions from observations that do not contain numbers

11. def: Quantitative data
Observations from an experiment containing numerical measurements

12. def: Inference
The interpretation of an observation based on prior knowledge

13. def: Prediction
An inference about future events based on current evidence, past experience or knowledge

14. def: Accuracy
how close a measurement is to the actual value

15. def: Precision
how close measurements are to one another

16. def: Theory
explanation of a set of observations about the natural world