6th Grade RMS Science Vocabulary Review

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

• inferring
• hypothesis
• scientific law
• scientific theory

Process of making an inference, an interpretation based on observations and prior knowledge.
(What HAS happened or what IS happening)

• hypothesis
• replication
• inferring/inference
• control

Same experiment conducted by same persons; YOU do your experiment again!

• replication
• repeated trial/repetition
• data 
• dependent variable

A well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results.

• scientific theory
• scientific law
• hypothesis
• control

Observations and measurements gathered during experimentation.  Can be displayed through graphs, charts, tables, photographs, illustrations, diagrams, videos, timelines, journals, notes, models, power points or oral presentations.

• hypothesis
• independent variable
• dependent variable 
• data

Only variable CHANGED in an experiment. Also known as MANIPULATED or TEST VARIABLE.

• dependent variable
• independent variable
• data
• control

Statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions.

• scientific theory
• hypothesis
• data
• scientific law

Variable used for COMPARISON in an experiment

• control
• independent variable 
• dependent variable
• data

Variable being MEASURED in an experiment.  Also known as RESPONDING or OUTCOME VARIABLE.

• independent variable
• control 
• dependent variable 
• data

Same experiment conducted by different persons; SOMEONE ELSE does your experiment.

• replication
• repeated trial
• inference
• scientific theory