Scientific Inquiry Vocabulary

method

• a systematic process for investigating questions and problems

• a random guess to solve issues

• a technique for avoiding problems

• a way to ignore questions

increasing

• becoming greater in size; a pattern of one variable rising as another rises

• decreasing in size; a pattern of one variable falling as another falls

• remaining constant; no change in size or value

• oscillating; fluctuating between different values

no relationship

• no consistent pattern between two variables

• strong correlation between two variables

• one variable causes changes in another

• variables are completely unrelated

decreasing

• becoming smaller in size; a pattern of one variable falling as another rises

• becoming larger in size; a pattern of one variable rising as another falls

• remaining the same in size; a pattern of two variables staying constant

• oscillating in size; a pattern of one variable fluctuating without a clear trend

dependent variable

• the factor that is measured throughout an experiment; it depends on the factor that is changed

• a variable that is kept constant during an experiment

• the variable that is manipulated by the researcher

• the outcome that is predicted based on the independent variable

theory

• a well-supported explanation of how or why something happens

• a random guess about an event

• a personal opinion without evidence

• a hypothesis that has not been tested

line of best fit

(also known as slope, rate of change)

• The steepness of a line on a graph that shows how slowly or quickly the variables are changing.

• A method to calculate the average of a set of data points.

• A type of graph that displays data in a circular format.

• A statistical measure that describes the relationship between two variables.

hypothesis

• a possible explanation that can be tested through experiments

• a definitive conclusion based on extensive evidence

• a random guess without any basis

• a statement that cannot be tested

bias

• a preference or opinion that can affect how results are interpreted

• a statistical error that occurs when data is misrepresented

• a method of collecting data without any influence

• a technique used to analyze data objectively

science

• knowledge gained through observation and experimentation

• the study of ancient civilizations

• a branch of art and literature

• the process of making laws