The Nature of Science

constant

• A factor that does not change in an experiment

• A variable that is manipulated during an experiment

• A measurement that is taken at the end of an experiment

• A hypothesis that is tested in an experiment

qualitative data

• information that describes qualities or characteristics, often using the senses, without using numbers

• data that can be measured and expressed numerically

• information that is collected through surveys and questionnaires

• data that is represented in graphs and charts

1 significant figure

• 0.0004 g

• 0.004 g

• 0.04 g

• 0.4 g

experiment

• a well-organized procedure that tests an idea

• a random guess about a phenomenon

• a theory that explains observations

• a collection of data without analysis

dependent variable

• A factor that remains constant throughout the experiment

• A factor that changes in an experiment from manipulation of the independent variable

• A factor that is manipulated to observe its effect

• A factor that is not measured in the experiment

circle graph

• A graph of data where the entire circle represents the whole or 100%

• A type of graph that uses bars to show comparisons between categories

• A graph that displays data points in a straight line

• A visual representation of data using different colors and shapes

independent variable

• variable that is measured in an experiment

• variable that is kept constant throughout the experiment

• variable in an experiment is specifically changed by the scientist

• variable that is influenced by the independent variable

control

• A variable that is changed in an experiment

• A standard for comparison that helps to ensure that the experimental result is caused by the condition being tested

• The outcome measured in an experiment

• A method of data collection

matter

• anything that takes up space and has mass

• a substance that can be seen but not touched

• a type of energy that can be converted

• a concept that describes the absence of physical substance

mass

• the amount of matter in an object

• the weight of an object

• the volume of an object

• the density of an object