Scientific Method Vocabulary
Hypothesis – A proposed explanation of observations of the
natural world.
Testable Question – A question that comes from a
hypothesis that can be evaluated (tested) in an experiment
to assess the truth of the hypothesis.
Experiment – a repeatable test of the validity (truth) of a
testable question.
Variable – any part of the experiment that can vary.
Control – A part of the experiment that is not being
evaluated.
Controlling variables – The experimental conditions
(variables) that the scientist keeps constant to ensure a valid
(good) experiment.
Independent variable (manipulated variable) – The part of
the experiment that is changed (manipulated) by the scientist
performing the experiment.
Dependent variable (responding variable) – The part of the
experiment that is affected (influenced) by the independent
variable. The data the scientist records is the responding
variable.
Observation – Information gained by using one or more of
your senses.
Inference – An interpretation of an observation using prior
knowledge.