applied science

using science to solve real-world problems

pure science

using science to understand how and why things work

quantitative data

data in the form of numbers determined through measuring

qualitative data

data in the form of words used to describe something

deductive reasoning

reasoning that proceeds from general statements, called premises, to a specific conclusion

inductive reasoning

reasoning that proceeds from known data to an unknown general conclusion

hypothesis

a testable explanation for a phenomenon that forms the basis for scientific inquiry

scientific inquiry

the process by which scientists answer scientific questions; also known as the scientific method

operational science

knowledge acquired by either real-time observations of present-day phenomena or first-hand accounts of past events

historical science

knowledge gained by observing present evidence in order to make inferences about past events and processes

experiment

an orderly process to observe a phenomenon, ideally under controlled conditions

controlled experiment

an experiment in which only one condition changes at a time

variable

a factor that changes

independent variable

the variable in a controlled experiment that is purposely changed by the scientist

control group

the group of samples not exposed to the independent variable

experimental group

the group of samples exposed to the independent variable

empirical science

science that is based on data gathered from observations or an experiment

trials

repeated experiments using multiple samples (allowing for more conclusive results)

natural experiment

an experiment in which scientists cannot control the conditions

scientific survey

a process that involves randomly selected representative samples from a larger population

peer review

the process of having other scientists review and evaluate scientific work

theory

a scientific model that explains a phenomenon

law

a scientific model that describes a phenomenon, often in mathematical terms