Scientific Method Vocabulary

Gathering information about events or processes in a careful, orderly way

• Observation

• Hypothesis

• Theory

• Measurement

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Numbers obtained by counting or measuring

• Qualitative Data

• Quantitative Data

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Descriptions of characteristics that cannot be counted

• Qualitative Data

• Quantitative Data

Scientific explanation for a set of observations; a possible answer to a question that must be tested through experimentation

• Data

• Theory

• Hypothesis

• Constant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Factors in an experiment that can be changed

• Constants

• Variables

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

In a scientific experiment, the group that serves as the comparison; this group does not receive the variable being tested

• Experimental group

• Control group

In a scientific experiment, the group that receives the tested variable

• Experimental group

• Control group

The variable that is deliberately changed by the scientist; this is the variable being tested

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

The variable that is observed during the experiment; this is the data collected as a result

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

A result or conclusion that is relevant, meaningful, and reliable

• Valid

• Secure

• Believable

• Nonsense

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-5