observation
getting information by using the senses - hearing, sight, taste, smell, touch
hypothesis
a testable idea or explanation that leads to a scientific investigation
prediction
a logical statement about what will happen if the hypotheses is correct
experiment
a procedure designed to test a hypothesis under controlled conditions
variable
a factor that changes in an experiment
experimental group
a group that received the experimental treatment
control group
group that does NOT receive the experimental treatment
data
information gathered during an experiment
correlations
associations between 2 or more subjects or events
What are the steps of the scientific method?
1. Identify the problem
2. Form a hypothesis/make predictions
3. Test by experiment
4. Collect/organize/analyze data
5. Draw conclusions
6. Repeat experiments
7. Communicate results
statistics
the collection & classification of data that are in the form of numbers
mean
the average; obtained by adding the data, then dividing by the number of subjects (Ex: grades - 96, 85, 73, 92, 81 - add these up, then divide by 5 because there are 5 grades)
distribution
the arrangement of members of a members of a statistical population, usually shown in a graph
probability
the chance that something will happen
sample
a group of individuals or events selected to represent the population
risk
the probability of an unwanted outcome
models
representations of objects or systems (ex: teacher gives an example, or model, of a lab report to show what she/he expects to be included); different types include graphical mathematical, and physical models
physical model
three-dimensional models that you can touch (ex: model airplane, car, or plant & animal cells hanging from Mrs. Greene's ceiling)
graphical model
models that include maps & charts, such as a road map or position of the stars
mathematical model
one or more equations that represents the way a process works
value
principles or standards that we consider are important
decision-making model
concepts used in a specific way in order to carry out a process for making decision