Experimental Design Vocabulary /
  1. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
(The Scientific Method) / A step-by-step procedure that scientists used to do experiments.
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/ (Experimental Design Steps: Problem, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Analysis, Conclusion)
  1. OBSERVATION
(Synonym = examination) / To examine something closely using all of your senses. An observation does not include opinions.
  1. INFERENCE
(Synonym = assumption, judgment) / An explanation of why something happened. An inference is how you explain what you observed.
  1. PROBLEM
(Synonym = purpose, question) / The question that the experiment is designed to answer. It is the reason that you are doing the experiment.
  1. HYPOTHESIS
(Synonym = guess) / A possible answer to your experiment’s problem. It is a prediction that can be tested.
  1. PROCEDURE
(Synonym = directions, steps) / The steps taken to carry out an experiment.
  1. DATA
(Synonym = information) / Measurements & facts obtained from the experiment. Data are used as a basis for drawing conclusions.
  1. ANALYSIS
/ An examination of the results of the experiment. A search for relationships within the data (often by using graphs).
  1. CONCLUSION
/ Compares the hypothesis to the experiment’s results. A search for relationships within the data.
  1. CONSTANTS
/ Factors which remain the same throughout the experiment; constants do not change or vary.
  1. CONTROL
(or CONTROL GROUP) / The item or group of items which are the standard for comparison. A test that is performed by removing the independent variable.
  1. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
(Synonym: manipulated variable) / The part of the experiment that the scientist changes on purpose.
  1. DEPENDENT VARIABLE
(Synonym: responding variable) / The part of the experiment that changes as a result of the independent variable. The dependent variable is the change that you are measuring.
  1. THEORY
/ A scientifically testable general principle offered to explain something in nature. It can accurately predict the outcome of future experiments and observations.
  1. LAW
/ Something that has been proven to occur over and over again whenever certain conditions exist or are met.
  1. LENGTH
/ The measure of how long something is; the measurement of anything from end to end; metric base unit= meters.
  1. VOLUME
/ The amount of space something fills up or occupies; metric base unit= liters.
  1. MASS
/ The amount of matter in something; metric base unit = grams.
  1. METRIC SYSTEM
(International System of Units) / A measurement system based on 10’s and is used internationally.
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/ Kilo (1000), Hecto (100), Deca (10)
Metric Base Unit (meters, liters, grams)
Deci (0.1), Centi (0.01), Milli (0.001)
HONORS ONLY: / HONORS ONLY:
  1. QUALITATIVE DATA
/ An observation that is based upon something that cannot be measured (quality). (Examples: sweetness, color, smell, taste)
  1. QUANTITATIVE DATA
/ Measurable data gathered in a numeric form (quantity). (Examples: length, volume, mass, temperature, pH, pressure)
  1. VALIDITY
(adj. - VALID) / A statement or quality of being true and reasonable.
  1. INVALID
/ A statement or quality of being false and not reasonable.
  1. BIAS
/ A preformed judgment or unfavorable opinion about something.
  1. EXPERIMENTAL GROUP
/ The group that has variables acting upon it so that it can be compared with the results of the control group.