Scientific terminology Confusing scientific vocabulary Many words and phrases that are commonly used in everyday language may have very specific meanings (or sometime contrary meanings) in science. It is important that science teachers and students understanding these differences, so that those words and phrases are used correctly and with the right intention. This ensures that scientific communication is always clear and unambiguous. Terms used in scientific and everyday communications. Note that the list of terms is not exhaustive. Possible meaning(s) in Term Meaning in scientific usage usage In science, an observation that differs from the expectations Abnormal Anomaly generated by an established scientific idea. Anomalous observations may inspire scientists to reconsider, modify, or come up with alternatives to an accepted theory or hypothesis Small droplets or particles suspended in the atmosphere Spray can Aerosol In science, an auxiliary (secondary) hypothesis that is Something that is accepted to be Assumption taken to be true for the purposes of interpreting a particular true without proof test. All tests involve making assumptions. A scientific idea that is the most accurate explanation, Faith in an idea Belief based on a critical evaluation of available evidence. A systematic distortion of a statistical result. Inclination or prejudice Bias Substance Toxin or poison Chemical A variable that is kept constant in a science experiment so To order, limit or rule people or Control that the impact of another factor can be better understood. events In scientific testing, a group that is matched to an experimental group, but which is not exposed to the experimental treatment that the experimental group is. For example, to test the efficacy of a new drug, the drug is given to one group of people (the treatment group), while the other group (control group) is given a placebo. Controls are important in fair tests. Increase Improve Enhance Used in the statistical analyses of data A mistake Error The difference between the predicted/measured value and its true value Facts are statements that are known to be true through A highly valued form of knowledge Fact direct observations or measurements. (can be confident about them) An idea that is testable, generating evidence that a Ideas that have been shown to be Falsifiable particular claim or scientific idea is false. untrue
Scientific terminology Confusing scientific vocabulary Many words and phrases that are commonly used in everyday language may have very specific meanings (or sometime contrary meanings) in science. It is important that science teachers and students understanding these differences, so that those words and phrases are used correctly and with the right intention. This ensures that scientific communication is always clear and unambiguous. Terms used in scientific and everyday communications. Note that the list of terms is not exhaustive. Term Meaning in scientific usage Possible meaning(s) in usage Anomaly In science, an observation that differs from the expectations generated by an established scientific idea. Anomalous observations may inspire scientists to reconsider, modify, or come up with alternatives to an accepted theory or hypothesis Abnormal Aerosol Small droplets or particles suspended in the atmosphere Spray can Assumption In science, an auxiliary (secondary) hypothesis that is taken to be true for the purposes of interpreting a particular test. All tests involve making assumptions. Something that is accepted to be true without proof Belief A scientific idea that is the most accurate explanation, based on a critical evaluation of available evidence. Faith in an idea Bias A systematic distortion of a statistical result. Inclination or prejudice Chemical Substance Toxin or poison Control A variable that is kept constant in a science experiment so that the impact of another factor can be better understood. In scientific testing, a group that is matched to an experimental group, but which is not exposed to the experimental treatment that the experimental group is. For example, to test the efficacy of a new drug, the drug is given to one group of people (the treatment group), while the other group (control group) is given a placebo. Controls are important in fair tests. To order, limit or rule people or events Enhance Increase Improve Error Used in the statistical analyses of data The difference between the predicted/measured value and its true value A mistake Fact Facts are statements that are known to be true through direct observations or measurements. A highly valued form of knowledge (can be confident about them) Falsifiable An idea that is testable, generating evidence that a particular claim or scientific idea is false. Ideas that have been shown to be untrue
scientific-terminology.docx