Applying ideas
Taking information learned one set of circumstances and using it in another situation.
Assess
To determine the importance, adequacy, or significance of something.
Assumption
A belief that something is true without checking its validity.
Bias
Anything that sways an experiment's results in a way that makes them inaccurate.
Cause
Something that makes something else (an effect) happen.
Chart
A visual representation of data.
Circular Argument
A form of faulty logic which a conclusion is supported by reasons that simply restate the conclusion.
Compare
To identify how things are alike.
Conclusion
A logical result or generalization.
Context
The situation within which something is said or done.
Diagram
A picture or an illustration that shows information.
Drawing Conclusions
Expressing unstated ideas that are logically connected to give information.
Effect
A result of an action or condition.
Error
Mistake in an investigation, including inaccuracy of measuring instruments and sampling.
Evaluate
To examine something in order to judge its significance.
Evidence
Observations and data from experiments that support or oppose a stated point of view.
Experiment
A procedure that is designed to test a hypothesis
Explanation
The addition of newly acquired evidence to facts that are already known.
Fact
Something that can be proven true.
Faulty Logic
Errors in reasoning.
Graph
A physical representation of data.
Hasty Generalization
A form of faulty logic in which a conclusion is based on insufficent evidence.
Hypothesis
A reasonable explanation of evidence or a prediction based on evidence.
Implication
A fact or idea that is suggested by stated information.
Imply
To suggest something without actually stating it.
Infer
To figure out something that is suggested by stated information.
Inference
A fact or idea that you figure out based on stated information.
Irrelevant Information
Information that includes any facts that do not directly a person's decision.
Main Idea
The central topic of a paragraph, passage, or diagram.
Opinion
A personal belief that is often on a person's own value system.
Oversimplification
A form of faulty logic in which something is so simplified so much that it becomes incorrect.
Prediction
A guess based on facts.
Relevant Information
Information that includes facts that directly affect a person's decision.
Restate
To use different words and phrases to express the same idea.
Sequence
The order in which things happen.
Summarize
To condense or shorten a larger amount of information into a few sentences.
Supporting Details
Observations, measurements, and other facts that back up a conclusion.
Table
A type of list that organizes information in rows and columns.
Topic Sentence
The sentence that contains the main idea in a paragraph.