SCIENTIFIC METHOD GLOSSARY
Term
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Definition
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Conclusion
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The solution or answer to a problem. The conclusion is what the scientist has learned about the problem through experimentation.
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Controlled variable
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A variable that must remain the same in all situations. Controlled variables are all of the things in an experiment that must remain the same.
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Data
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Pieces of information that a scientist will gather and look at. Data consists of information collected through research, experiments, and observations. Conclusions can be made based on data.
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Data table
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A T-shaped diagram that displays raw data from an experiment. It includes a manipulated and responding variable.
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Experiment
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A test or trial used to gain knowledge or to test a theory.
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Graph
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A diagram consisting of lines, bars, or circles to represent information. Science fair experiments usually require line graphs.
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Hypothesis
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A reasonable or educated guess. It is what a scientist thinks will happen in an experiment. Hypotheses are based on observations, research, and what is already known about the subject.
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Log book
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A notebook in which a scientist writes all of his or her notes about the experiment. All students who complete a science fair project must have a log book.
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Manipulated variable
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A variable that is deliberately or intentionally changed by the scientist in an experiment.
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Metric measurement
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A system of measurement that scientists use. Length is measured in meters, weight is measured in grams, volume is measured in liters, and temperature is measured in degrees Celsius.
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Observation
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The use of the five senses (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or touching) to collect information.
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Operational definition
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The way a scientist measures variables. The operational definition explains specifically how each variable will be measured (hours, degrees, meters, liters, grams, decibels, etc.)
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Ordered pairs
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Number data that shows a relationship between the manipulated and responding variables. For example, if you gave a plant 10 ml of water each day, and the plant grew a total of 15 cm, then the ordered pair would be (10, 15).
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Problem
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Something that needs to be solved. Problems are usually questions that scientists ask about science topics.
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Procedures
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A methodical, logical way of doing something. Procedures include directions or plans, listed step by step.
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Qualitative data
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Sensory (sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste) information that is used to draw conclusions.
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Quantitative data
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Numerical (number) information that is used to draw conclusions.
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Raw data
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The initial quantitative information that a scientist gets while conducting an experiment. All raw data is written in a data table in the scientist's log book.
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Responding variable
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A variable that changes as a result of the manipulation of another variable. The responding variable is not changed intentionally, rather, it changes because of what the scientist changed intentionally.
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Scientific Method
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A logical way of solving problems. Scientists use this method to gather and test information. There are seven steps to the scientific method:
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Variable
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Something that can change or "vary" in a situation.
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X axis
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The horizontal line at the bottom of a graph. The manipulated variable is always written on the x axis of a graph.
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Y axis
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The vertical line on the left side of a graph. The responding variable is always written on the y axis of a graph.
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