Scientific method – keywords
Task
Cut out the description boxes only. Match each description to the correct
keyword. If you have matched them correctly you should find the hidden name of a
scientist who described and used a similar scientific method to the form we use
today.
keyword description
A test where only the independent variable can affect the
categoric variable
dependent variable.
conclusion The effects you noticed and recorded in your results table.
control The suitability of the experiment to test your hypothesis.
continuous variable The variable you have chosen to measure in your experiment.
These variables have distinct categories e.g. plant species, blood
correlation
group etc.
dependent variable These variables have a value which is a quantity.
evaluation Data described and recorded in quantities.
experiment A summary of what has been learned from your experiment.
© www.teachitscience.co.uk 2014 19646 Page 1 of 3
Scientific method – keywords
Taking a critical look at your experiment and identifying any
fair test
weaknesses and errors.
An investigation which will provide evidence for or against your
hypothesis
hypothesis.
independent
The variable which you changed in your experiment.
variable
Part of the experiment where the independent variable is not
observation changed. This provides baseline data to compare your results
with.
prediction A statement of what you think might happen in your experiment.
Data that can be repeated and reproduced by others, including in
qualitative data
different experiments.
quantitative data A relationship between the variables.
reliable Data described and recorded in words.
An idea which you have that explains certain facts and which you
validity
can test.
© www.teachitscience.co.uk 2014 19646 Page 2 of 3
Scientific method – keywords
Teaching notes
This starter or plenary activity uses many of the key words and terms students will come
across when reading about and conducting their own scientific research and experiments.
The bold underlined text spells out - Sir Isaac Newton.
These variables have distinct categories e.g. plant species, blood
categoric variable
group etc.
conclusion A summary of what has been learned from your experiment.
Part of the experiment where the independent variable is not
control
changed. This provides baseline data to compare your results with.
continuous variable These variables have a value which is a quantity.
correlation A relationship between the variables.
dependent variable The variable you have chosen to measure in your experiment.
Taking a critical look at your experiment and identifying any
evaluation
weaknesses and errors.
An investigation which will provide evidence for or against your
experiment
hypothesis.
A test where only the independent variable can affect the dependent
fair test
variable.
An idea which you have that explains certain facts and which you
hypothesis
can test.
independent variable The variable which you changed in your experiment
observation The effects you noticed and recorded in your results table
prediction A statement of what you think might happen in your experiment.
qualitative data Data described and recorded in words.
quantitative data Data described and recorded in quantities.
Data that can be repeated and reproduced by others, including in
reliable
different experiments.
validity The suitability of the experiment to test your hypothesis.
© www.teachitscience.co.uk 2014 19646 Page 3 of 3
