A term used here to refer to fundamental and particularly broad explanations for many aspects of the natural world. Over-arching theories often help define scientific disciplines and embody the principles that are at the core of our understanding of phenomena in that discipline. Examples include plate tectonics and evolution. To learn more, visit Science at multiple levels.

Not influenced by biases, opinions, and/or emotions. Scientists strive to be objective in their reasoning about scientific issues.

To note, record, or attend to a result, occurrence, or phenomenon. Though we typically think of observations as having been made “with our own eyes,” in science, observations may be made directly (by seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting, or smelling) or indirectly using tools. To learn more, visit Observation beyond our eyes.