Nature of Science Vocab

The investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations.

• HYPOTHESIS

• SCIENCE

• OBSERVATION

• INFERENCE

• PREDICTION

The results of using one or more of your senses to gather information and taking note of what occurs.

• HYPOTHESIS

• SCIENCE

• OBSERVATION

• INFERENCE

• PREDICTION

A logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience.

• HYPOTHESIS

• SCIENCE

• OBSERVATION

• INFERENCE

• PREDICTION

A possible explanation for an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations.

• HYPOTHESIS

• SCIENCE

• OBSERVATION

• INFERENCE

• PREDICTION

A statement of what will happen next in a sequence of events.

• HYPOTHESIS

• SCIENTIFIC THEORY

• SCIENTIFIC LAW

• INFERENCE

• PREDICTION

An explanation of observations or events that is based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations.

• HYPOTHESIS

• SCIENTIFIC THEORY

• SCIENTIFIC LAW

• CRITICAL THINKING

• PREDICTION

A rule that describes a repeatable pattern in nature.

• HYPOTHESIS

• SCIENTIFIC THEORY

• SCIENTIFIC LAW

• CRITICAL THINKING

• PREDICTION

The practical use of scientific knowledge, especially for industrial or commercial use.

• TECHNOLOGY

• SCIENTIFIC THEORY

• SCIENTIFIC LAW

• CRITICAL THINKING

• PREDICTION

Comparing what you already know with the information you are given in order to decide whether you agree with it.

• TECHNOLOGY

• SCIENTIFIC THEORY

• SCIENTIFIC LAW

• CRITICAL THINKING

• PREDICTION

This is the factor that you want to test; it is changed by the investigator

• Variable

• Constant

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable