Also See: The Scientific Method, and Types of Truth.

Fact

A fact is a confirmed observation or statement that can be proven true.

“Water freezes at 0°C (32°F) under standard atmospheric pressure.”

Scientific Fact

A scientific fact is a repeatable and consistent observation that has been confirmed through experimentation.

“The Earth orbits the Sun.”

Scientific Theory

A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world, based on a body of evidence.

“The Theory of Evolution explains how species change over time through natural selection.”

Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a testable prediction or explanation that can be confirmed or refuted through experimentation.

“If plants are given more sunlight, then they will grow faster.”

Law

A scientific law describes a consistent relationship observed in nature, often expressed as a mathematical equation.

“Newton’s Law of Gravitation explains how objects with mass attract each other.“

Principle

A principle is a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning in science.

“The Principle of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.“

Axiom

An axiom is a self-evident truth or a universally accepted principle, often foundational in mathematics and logic.

“In geometry, an axiom might be that “through any two points, there is exactly one straight line.”

Postulate

A postulate is an assumption used as a basis for reasoning, often unprovable but accepted within a particular framework.

“Euclid’s postulates in geometry, such as “a straight line can be drawn between any two points.”

Model

A model is a simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, used to explain, predict, or understand scientific observations.

“The Bohr Model of the atom represents electrons orbiting the nucleus in defined paths.“

Paradigm

A paradigm is a set of practices, standards, or assumptions that define scientific discipline during a certain time.

“The geocentric model was the prevailing paradigm before the heliocentric model became widely accepted.“

Variable

A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types in an experiment.

“Independent variables are manipulated by the researcher, while dependent variables are measured as outcomes.“

Control

A control is a standard against which experimental results are compared to ensure the reliability of the outcome.

“In a drug trial, a placebo group acts as the control.”

Inference

An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than direct observation.

“Observing that a plant is wilting, one might infer that it needs water.“

Replication

Replication is the process of repeating an experiment to confirm findings or ensure accuracy.

“Conducting multiple trials of a chemical reaction to ensure consistent results.”

Peer Review

Peer review is the evaluation of scientific work by others in the same field to ensure accuracy and validity before publication.

“Scientific journals require peer review before publishing new research.“

Data

Data are the raw measurements and observations collected during research.

“Recording the height of plants daily in an experiment testing light exposure.”

Correlation

Correlation refers to a relationship between two variables, where changes in one relate to changes in the other.

“Finding a positive correlation between hours studied and exam scores.”

Causation

Causation indicates that one event is the direct result of another.

“Smoking has been shown to cause lung cancer.“

Anomaly

An anomaly is an observation or result that deviates from what is expected.

“A planet moving backward (retrograde motion) was once an anomaly in astronomy before the heliocentric model explained it.“