What is Data?
Information from which a conclusion can be drawn or a prediction can be made. Can be from research or observations.
What is precision?
The ability to consistently repeat a measurement
What is Accuracy?
The ability to make a measurement that is as close to the actual value as possible.
What is Inference?
A conclusion based on observation - not an opinion.
What is a hypothesis?
A statement of what you think will happen during an investigation. This is an if then statement.
What is an observation?
Something you can find out about objects, events, or living things using your sense of touch, hearing, smell, sight or taste.
What is an experiment?
The use of the scientific method to test your hypothesis
What is a variable?
Something that can change in a test
What is an independent variable?
The one thing you can change
What is a dependent variable?
Something that is changed when the independent variable changes.
What is a control group?
A standard against which change is measured
What are procedures?
Step by step instructions for completing a test
What are the 4 measures of central tendency?
Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
What is mean?
The sum of the numbers divided by the total amount of numbers - average.
What is median?
The middle value when the numbers are written from least to greatest - middle.
What is mode?
The number that occurs most often - most. Could be more than one.
What is range?
The difference between the greatest number and the least number.
What are the 4 types of investigations?
Observation, sampling, survey, and controlled experiment
What is a sampling?
Take samples (smaller groups) from larger groups.
What is a survey?
Scientific questionnaires
What is controlled experiment?
Following steps and procedures to keep everything the same and only changing one thing to be tested.
Steps of the scientific method
- Ask a question
- State your hypothesis
- Experiment - identify variables and controls, make a plan, and test your hypothesis
- Collect, Record, and Interpret your observations
- Communicate your conclusion
Examples of science tools for observation
Magnifying box, hand lens, microscope, collecting net, telescope, binoculars, and camera
What are science tools for measuring width, length, distance or height?
Measuring tape, ruler, yardstick
