Control group: is used as
a standard of comparison in an experiment where the variables are not
manipulated.
Corroboration: is
providing evidence that tend to support a proposition or theory that is already
supported by some evidence.
Deductive reasoning: A
method of scientific reasoning that uses general principles to predict specific
results. It is also called as theory-data
collection-analysis method.
Dependent variable:
Variables that are measured throughout the experiment. The outcome or result of
this variable may change because of manipulated or independent variable.
eg: Theory of
evolution, Cell theory
Empiricism: refers to the
information acquired by experience (using our senses) or experimentation (using
instruments).
Epistemology: a branch of
philosophy that deals with knowledge
Experimental group: The
group containing the variable that has been changed (independent variable)
Hypothesis: is an educated
guess, a possible answer or a predictive statement that can be tested by
scientific methods.
Independent variable: the
variable that the researcher manipulates or changes in an experiment.
Inductive reasoning: a
scientific reasoning method that uses
specific observations to construct general scientific principles, also called
as data collection-analysis method.
Law: A universally
accepted theory that is capable of making true predictions. Eg: Mendel’s law, Newton’s
law
Null hypothesis: The hypothesis which the researcher tries to
disprove.
Practical knowledge: Knowledge gained through
experience.
Random error: Errors which are random in nature and
very difficult to predict and correct
Research (means to search): systematised effort to gain new knowledge.
Scientific evidence: are
facts and figures used to support a hypothesis, theory or law.
Scientific method: is an
organised and systematized effort to gain knowledge that uses observation and
experimentation to describe and explain nature or natural phenomenon.
Scientific temper: involves the application of logic
and reasoning and the avoidance of bias and prejudice in arriving at decisions
or conclusions.
- Invention of steam engine by James Watt
- Formulation of Archemedes principle
- Formulation of gravitational theory by Issac Newton
- Discovery of antibiotics by Alexander Flemming
Simulation: is the
imitation of the operation of a real world process
Syllogism: a way of
reasoning in which two statements are considered for reaching a conclusion.
Deductive reasoning is a case of syllogism.
Systematic error: A type of error that deviates by a
fixed amount from the true value of measurement and can be easily corrected.
- eg: zero error
Theoretical knowledge: Knowledge gained through
rational thinking and logical reasoning.
Theory: is a hypothesis
supported by large body of observation and experimental evidences.
Variables: Any factor that
can take on different values in a scientific experiment and influences the
outcome of the experiment.