Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Review Article | A scientific article that compiles past research on one topic to analyze trends and assess the current state of knowledge on that topic. Science General |
| RNA | RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a chain of nucleotides that is made based on the DNA sequence. The structure of RNA is similar to the structure of DNA. RNA functions in many ways in cells, including playing the important role of carrying instructions from DNA during protein production. In certain viruses, RNA rather than DNA may carry the genetic information. Genetics |
| Salt Water Intrusion | Displacement of fresh or ground water by the advance of salt water due to its greater density, usually in coastal and estuarine areas. Climate Change Denial |
| Sample size | Sample size is the number of observations or participants included in a research study, survey, or experiment, chosen to represent a larger population. An appropriate sample size, determined by power calculation before research starts, is crucial to minimize error, ensure statistically significant results, and manage time/resource constraints. Science General |
| Science Denial / Denialism | The outright refusal to accept established scientific consensus (e.g., climate change denial, evolution denial). Science General |
| Science Law | Scientific Law: A concise, universal statement or mathematical formula describing a consistent natural phenomenon (what happens, not why). Science General |
| Science Washing | Science washing involves rebranding ancient beliefs, alternative therapies, or spiritual dogma using scientific-sounding verbiage to appear legitimate. Science Misinformation |
| Scientific Consensus | The collective position of experts in a field, reached through independent lines of evidence and peer-reviewed research. Not a vote, but a convergence of evidence. Science General |
| Scientific Literacy | The baseline understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision-making. Science Education |
| Scientific Method | The scientific method is the process of objectively establishing facts through testing and experimentation. The basic process involves making an observation, forming a hypothesis, making a prediction, conducting an experiment and finally analyzing the results. It focuses strictly on the natural and physical world and relies on testable and repeatable evidence. Science General |