1. Scientific Investigation Terms
Important words and phrases to go along with Scientific Investigation

2. a description of an item or an event
Observation
a description of an item or an event
A. Qualitative- using words
B. Quantitative-using numbers or amounts

3. Inference
(to infer) making a conclusion based on evidence about what has occurred using prior knowledge.
Example: seeing only one destroyed house and concluding that a tornado struck it

4. Variable the part of an experiment that changes
a. Independent variable- (IV) that variable that is changed or manipulated on purpose
Example: the amount of water given to plants in an experiment
b. Dependent Variable- (DV) the variable that responds (reacts) to the independent variable
i. The DV is determined after the IV has been tested
ii. Example: the growth of each plant

5. factors of an experiment that are kept the same and never change
Constants
factors of an experiment that are kept the same and never change
a. Examples the amount soil should be the same, the temperature, the amount of sunlight each plant gets

6. Control
the part of an experiment that serves as a comparison to the variable(s).
It is the most normal condition of the experiment.
a. Example: a placebo group in a drug trial

7. Experiment
a process in which a problem is tested and observations are made in order to find a solution

8. Data
facts and figures found as a result of an experiment (recording your observations)

9. summary of what happened or was learned during your experiment
Conclusion
summary of what happened or was learned during your experiment