Scientific Investigation Terms

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Observation

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The process of getting information by using the senses

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Inference

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A guess based on observations that may or may not be factual, a logical explanation

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Qualitative Observation

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Relates to descriptive information that is not expressed as a number/ information gathered by using senses or feelings. (it’s cold outside)

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Quantitative Observation

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Relates to descriptive information that is expressed as a quantity or a number/ information gathered by using measurement or numbers. (the car is going 60 miles per hour)

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Variable

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Any factor that can change in a scientific investigation.

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Independent Variable

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The factor that is deliberately changed in an investigation.

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Dependent Variable

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Changes as a result of changes to the independent variable.

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Data

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The information and measurements gathered by experimentation that can be used in calculations, or reasoning.

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Control

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Part of an experiment that is identical to the experimental group except that the independent variable is not manipulated.

(The part that stays the same, used for comparison, ensures a fair test)

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Hypothesis

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An idea or explanation that can be tested and that leads to scientific investigation.