Science & Research

Essential scientific vocabulary

Introduction

Science literacy requires understanding key vocabulary. From basic scientific concepts to research methods, these words help you engage with scientific content and discussions.

This chapter presents vocabulary for science and research. You'll learn words for scientific processes, natural phenomena, and the methods used to understand our world.

Themes

All Vocabulary (NGSL) in This Chapter (34)

• process A series of actions or steps; to handle or deal with something
• develop To grow or cause to grow; to create or improve
• development The process of growing or changing; a new event or stage in a changing situation
• general Affecting or relating to most people or things; not specific
• available Able to be used or obtained; free to do something
• improve To make or become better
• measure To find the size, amount, or degree of something; an action taken to achieve ...
• evidence Facts or signs that prove something is true
• cell The smallest unit of a living organism; a small room; a unit of a battery
• prove To demonstrate the truth of something through evidence or argument
• generally Usually, or in most cases; by most people
• discover To find something for the first time; to learn something new
• generation All the people born around the same time; the production of something
• labor Work, especially physical work; the workforce; childbirth process
• excellent Extremely good or of very high quality
• improvement The act of making something better, or the state of being better than before
• scientist A person who studies or works in science
• generate To produce or create something; to cause to exist
• technical Relating to practical knowledge and skills in a particular field
• label A piece of material giving information; to attach a label or describe
• analyze To examine something in detail to understand it better
• chemical A substance produced by or used in chemistry; relating to chemistry
• scientific Relating to science or using systematic methods of research
• gene A unit of heredity that determines characteristics passed from parents to chi...
• revolution A dramatic and wide-reaching change; overthrow of a government
• discovery The act of finding or learning something for the first time
• evolution Gradual development or change over time
• measurement The act or result of measuring something
• laboratory A room or building for scientific work
• genetic Relating to genes or heredity
• equation A mathematical statement showing two things are equal; a complex situation
• species A group of living organisms that can breed together
• invent To create or design something that has never existed before
• experimental Based on experiment; trying new ideas or methods