Unit 1 Test Flashcards
(34 cards)
What does scientific inquiry mean?
The different ways in which scientists ask and answer questions
What does experimental science mean?
Scientists manipulate a variable and record what happens to see how their interventions influence outcomes
What does observational science mean?
Scientists observe variables and record what happens without trying to influence outcomes
What does inference mean?
An attempt to understand something based on an incomplete set of observations, facts or clues
What does hypothesis mean?
A prediction about the results of a future experiment based on prior knowledge (i.e. things you’ve already learned)
What does conclusion mean?
A confident statement that summarizes what you have learned based on a reliable set of collected evidence
What does theory mean?
The best, most widely accepted explanation for a wide range of observations and experimental results
What does law mean?
The best, most accurate description of something that always happens in nature every time it is observed and measured
What does model mean?
A simplified representation of something complicated that is easier to measure, study, visualize, and understand
What does independent variable mean?
The one part of an experiment that you change on purpose because you think it will affect an observed outcome
What does dependent variable mean?
The part of an experiment that changes because of the independent variable
What does control variable mean?
Any part of an experimental system that you want to keep constant and unchanging
What does quantitative data mean?
Observations that use numbers
What does qualitative data mean?
Observations that use describing words
What does analysis mean?
The careful study of data in an attempt to
-find patterns and meaning in the data
-evaluate the reliability of the data
What does gridline mean?
The extra vertical and horizontal lines between the main axes that help locate with greater precision the value of data points on the graph
What does scatter plot mean?
A graph where data points are plotted to show the relationship (correlation) between two variables
What does correlation mean?
A statistical term describing the degree to which two variables move (change) in coordination with one another
What does line of best fit mean?
A calculated (statistical) line on a scatter plot graph that best represents the overall trend in the data
-The line may touch some of the data points, none of the data points, or all of the data points.
-The line can be straight or a smooth curve.
What does R^2 value mean?
A calculated (statistical) number between 0-1 that describes how “tight” your data is to the line of best fit. Generally, the higher the R2 value, the tighter the data is to the line of best fit and the stronger the correlation between two variables.
What does interpolating mean?
Predicting how two variables correlate based on a known data point that falls within the range of previously measured data.
What does extrapolating mean?
Predicting how two variables correlate based on a known data point that falls outside the range of previously measured data.
What are the four essentials of scientific inquiry and research?
The questions must be testable, the data must be measurable, the results must be repeatable and the conclusions must be evidence-based.
What are the three big questions that guide the majority of scientific research?
What’s out there?
How do things work?
How have things gotten to be the way they have been?
