MM Scientific Method Terms

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Claim

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An assertion; a statement believed to be true.

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Evidence

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Scientific data used to support the claim.

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Reasoning

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A statement or statements that connect the evidence to the claim.

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Hypothesis

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The expected outcome of an experiment or phenomenon, used as a starting point for further investigation. It is written as an If-Then Statement.

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Variable

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A factor (experimental element) that can change the outcome of an experiment.

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Independent Variable

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A variable that the scientist changes.

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Dependent Variable

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A variable that the scientist measures. It depends on the independent variable.

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Controlled Experiment

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A scientific experiment in which only one variable is manipulated or changed at a time.

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Qualitative Data

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Data that is not measurable; collected by using senses (touch, smell, sound, sight).

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Quantitative Data

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Measurable data collected with instruments (examples: temperature, height, mass, volume).