Science and Technology
(Chapter 1 Study Guide)
observing – using your senses and tools to get information
models – representations of complex objects
quaNtitative observation – deals with numbers
science – way of learning about the natural world
qualitative observation – deals with descriptions, NOT numbers
inferring – when you explain or interpret the things you observe
classifying – the grouping together of items that are alike in some way
predicting – making a statement about what will happen in the future
evaluating – comparing observations to reach a conclusion about them
personal bias – bias from a person’s likes or dislikes
objective – making decisions based on evidence
skepticism – having an attitude of doubt
inductive reasoning – using specific observations to make
generalizations (increasing)
subjective – making decisions based on personal feelings
ethics – rules that enable people to know right from wrong
faulty reasoning – reasoning that can lead to faulty conclusions
deductive reasoning – using general ideas and applying them to a
specific observation (decreasing)
cultural bias – bias from the culture in which a person grows up
honesty – attitude used when reporting observations and results
experimental bias – mistake in the design of an experiment
open-mindedness – attitude that makes accepting new ideas
possible
skepticism – attitude balanced by open-mindedness
creativity – attitude that helps scientists come up with inventive ways
to solve problems
scientific inquiry – diverse ways to study the natural world
hypothesis – possible answer to a scientific question (not a fact)
many trials – needed before a hypothesis can be accepted as true
variable – any factor that can change in an experiment
manipulated variable – factor that is purposely changed to test a
hypothesis
responding variable – factor that may change in response to
manipulated variable
controlled experiment – experiment where one variable is
manipulated at a time
data – facts, figures, and other evidence through observation
scientific theory – well-tested explanation
scientific law – statement that describes what scientists expect to
happen every time (“all objects in the universe attract each other”)
conclusion – summary of what is learned from an experiment
graph – tool that can help you interpret data
3 ways scientists communicate their results – publish articles, talk
at meetings, and internet