Science Glossary terms meaning

Accuracy
The extent to which an experimental result obtained from an investigation agrees with the accepted, or ‘true’, value of the particular quantity being measured.
Adaptation
A physical or behavioural characteristic that is inherited and which results in an individual being more likely to survive and reproduce in its environment.
Analyse
Consider in detail for the purpose of finding meaning or relationships, and identifying patterns, similarities and differences.
Classify
Arrange into named categories in order to sort, group or identify.
Conclusion
A judgement based on evidence.
Contemporary science
New and emerging science research and issues of current relevance and interest.
Continuous data
Quantitative data with a potentially infinite number of possible values along a continuum.
Controlled variable
A variable that is kept constant (or changed in constant ways) during an investigation.
Conventions
Agreed methods of representing concepts, information and behaviours.
Data
The plural of datum; the measurement of an attribute which could be qualitative (for example, the type of rubber) or quantitative (for example,  the volume of gas).
Dependent variable
A variable that changes in response to changes to the independent variable in an investigation.
Design
Plan and evaluate the construction of a product or process, including an investigation.
Discrete data
Quantitative data consisting of a number of separate values where intermediate values are not permissible.
Environment
All the surroundings, both living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic).
Evaluate
Examine and judge the merit or significance of something, including processes, events, descriptions, relationships or data.
Evidence
Data that is considered reliable and valid and which can be used to support a particular idea, conclusion or decision. Evidence gives weight or value to data by considering its credibility, acceptance, bias, status, appropriateness and reasonableness.
Experimental (investigation)
An investigation that involves carrying out a practical activity.
Fair test
An investigation where one variable (the independent variable) is changed and all other conditions (controlled variables) are kept the same; what is measured or observed is referred to as the dependent variable.
Fieldwork
Observational research undertaken in the local environment of the subject of the study
Force
A push or pull between objects which may cause one or both objects to change speed and/or the direction of their motion (i.e. accelerate) or change their shape. Scientists identify four fundamental forces: gravitational, electromagnetic (involving both electrostatic and magnetic forces), weak nuclear forces and strong nuclear forces. All interactions between matter can be explained as the action of one or a combination of the four fundamental forces.
Formal measurement
Measurement based on an International system of Units (SI) , including base (e.g. kilogram, metre and second) and derived units (for example, newton, volt, degree Celsius))
Graph
A visual representation of the relationship between quantities plotted with reference to a set of axes.
Guided investigation
An investigation partly directed by the teacher.
Hypothesis
A tentative idea, based on observation, that can be supported or refuted by experiment.
Independent variable
The variable that is changed in an investigation to see what effect it has on the dependent variable.
Informal measurement
Measurement which is not based on any standard unit and may vary in value (e.g. hand spans, paces, cups).
Investigation
A scientific process of answering a question, exploring an idea or solving a problem that requires activities such as planning a course of action, collecting data, interpreting data, reaching a conclusion and communicating results of these activities.
Law
Description of an observed aspect of nature based on repeated observations that always applies under the same conditions.
Material
A substance with particular properties or that is used for specific purposes.
Matter
A physical substance; anything that has mass and occupies space.
Model
A representation that describes, simplifies, clarifies or provides an explanation of the workings, structure or relationships within an object, system or idea.
Natural materials
Any product or physical matter that comes from plants, animals, or Earth and has undergone very little modification by humans e.g. minerals and the metals that can be extracted from them (without further modification) are considered natural materials.
Observable
That which can be seen, heard, felt, tasted or smelled either directly by an individual or indirectly by using a measuring device e.g. a ruler, camera, thermometer, microscope or telescope.
Pattern
Repeated occurrences or sequences.
Precision
The extent to which two or more measurements agree with each other.
Primary source
Information created by the person or persons directly involved in a study or in the observation of an event.
Processed materials
Products of physical matter that have been modified from natural materials by human intervention or that do not occur at all in the natural environment, but have been designed and manufactured to fulfil a particular purpose.
Property
Attribute of an object or material.
Qualitative explanation
An account that is descriptive.
Quantitative explanation
An account that includes numerical information.
Relationship
The connection or association between ideas or between components of systems and structures.
Reliability
The extent to which repeated observations and/or measurements taken under identical circumstances will yield similar results.
Renewability
Ability of a resource to be replaced by natural processes within a relatively short period of time.
Repeat trials
Tests within an experimental investigation that are carried out more than once under the same set of conditions to improve accuracy, precision and reliability.
Scientific language
Terminology, symbols and representations that have specific meaning in a scientific context.
Secondary source
Information that has been compiled from primary sources by a person or persons not directly involved in the original study or event.
Senses
Hearing, sight, smell, touch and taste.
System
A group of interacting objects, materials or processes that form an integrated whole.
Table
An arrangement of data or ideas in rows and columns.
Technology
The development of products, services, systems and environments, using various types of knowledge, to meet human needs and wants.
Theory
An explanation of a set of observations that is supported by a vast body of evidence and  which has been accepted through consensus by a group of scientists.
Trend
General direction in which something is changing.
Validity
The extent to which tests measure what was intended.
Variable
A factor that can be changed, kept the same or measured in an investigation e.g. time, distance, light, temperature.