Scientific Inquiry Basics

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Scientific Inquiry

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a series of skills used to answer questions

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Observation

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A fact you can prove using your 5 senses

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Inference

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A logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience.

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Hypothesis

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A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question; must be testable

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Prediction

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a statement of what will happen next in a series of events

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Communicate results

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By exchanging information, scientists can evaluate and test other's work and make faster progress in their own research

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Scientific theory

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a well-tested concept that explains a wide range of observations. It explains WHY something happens

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Scientific law

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a rule that describes a pattern in nature. It explains something WILL happen but not why

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Independent variable

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A factor or condition that is changed by a scientist in an experiment.

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Dependent variable

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A factor or condition that might be affected as a result of a change