This is how close we are to the actual value of something, or how close our socks are to the laundry hamper after attempting a fadeaway jumper.
Bar Graph
A graph that's helpful in showing categorical data, like which color Starburst is most popular (hello, pink). It's a collection of rectangles set up along one axis to show a quantity or value.
Bias
Showing favor for one thing over another. Sometimes this happens on purpose, other times scientists don't even realize they're doing it. Sneaky.
Causation
When something causes another thing to happen. For example, eating twelve pizzas caused us to get sick. Really sick. Don't mistake this for causation's buddy, correlation, though. Causation requires evidence to support one variable causing another, while correlation simply shows a relationship between two variables.
Control Group
This is the group in an experiment that is used as a standard for comparison. It doesn't experience any experimental changes. Think of it as the straight-laced, goody two-shoes of the experiment.
Correlation
When two or more events are related. This doesn't mean one caused the other, just that they happened at the same time, like wearing our lucky socks and acing the test.
Dependent Variable
This variable changes depending on the independent variable (see what we did there?). We plot this on the y-axis of a graph.
Empiricism
The idea that everything we know comes from something we have observed or experienced. We won't tell you how we know you should never try to give a porcupine a noogie.
Ethics
A set of morals that guide behavior. Scientists follow a code of ethics to prevent any shady science from happening.
Falsifiable
A statement, or hypothesis, that has the ability to be proven false. Our hypothesis that spiders run faster than cockroaches is falsifiable, because we can test it out and may find that cockroaches are, in fact, faster. Although we're pretty sure we'll be running the fastest in this case.
Hypothesis
A testable thought or explanation. An example would be "If I keep smoked salmon in my pockets on my hike, then I will get to see a bear."
Independent Variable
An outcome whose value doesn't rely on any other; this is what's put on the x-axis of a graph.
Inductive Reasoning
A broad, generalized statement that comes from a bunch of specific observations. For example, we observed that all of the scientists we see on TV wear lab coats, therefore all scientists must wear lab coats. Obviously, the more evidence we have, the more accurate this line of reasoning is. We also, obviously, need to expand our observations of scientists.
Law
A specific description of a phenomenon that is supported by a great deal of evidence, like the law of gravity. Laws will often involve a mathematical equation, but don't hold that against them. Just be sure not to confuse them with theories and hypotheses.
Line Graph
A graph that shows change over time as a series of data points connected by lines. Yes, like connect-the-dots.
Mean
The average of a set of data. We find this by adding up all of our numbers, then dividing the sum by the number of data points we have. This has nothing to do with our lab partner's attitude.
Median
The middle number in a dataset. Sometimes there are two, so we take the mean of them to get the median.
Mode
The number that shows up the most frequently in a dataset. This repeater is a good indicator that the data are precise.
Observation
Information collected by using our five senses. This often leads to a hypothesis, or it can be part of gathering evidence from an experiment. An example would be, "The substance smelled like a mixture of broccoli and Silly Putty."
Pie Chart
A circular chart divided into segments that shows parts of a whole, usually as percentages. Not to be confused with baked goods.
Precise
When an experiment is performed multiple times and the data are the same or very similar. For example, if we miss our laundry hamper to the left every night, that would be precise but not very accurate.
Proportion
A comparison to show a relationship between parts and each other or parts and a whole. The proportion of the cherry pie we ate compared with the whole pie was very large.
Qualitative Data
A non-numerical description, such as smell, taste, or general appearance. Like when we say that Papa Shmoop looks eerily like Sasquatch in the morning.
Quantitative Data
A numerical description that we get from making a measurement or counting. Like when we say Papa Shmoop's hair is sticking our 4.8 centimeters from the cowlick on his head.
Quantity
The numerical amount of something. This is where those counting skills come in handy.
Range
How much variation there is in our data, or the area between the highest and lowest values. Not to be confused with where the deer and the antelope play.
Scale
A range that shows the relationship between things. For example, we can study the human body on a small scale and look at individual cells or zoom out to look at organs or even the whole body.
Scientific Question
A question that is testable and whose answer can be explained using something we can consistently observe or measure.
Theory
An explanation for complex phenomena that is supported by a boatload of evidence. Examples include the theory of evolution and atomic theory. Notice that we're talking about the scientific meaning of the word "theory," not theories about how not double knotting our shoelaces is the reason our soccer team keeps winning.
Variable
This is what changes in an experiment. We typically only change one at a time so we can pinpoint what's causing an observed change.
X-Y Scatter Plot
A set of data points plotted on a horizontal and vertical axis to show a positive, negative, or no correlation.