0.1 Scientific method Flashcards
What is a hypothesis?
A possible explanation for an observation
What is meant by peer-review?
Where other scientists in the same field check the results and explanations from experiements to ensure they are “scientific”
What is a theory?
A hypothesis which is widely accepted to be true
What is a model?
A description of how an object or system behaves in reality.
Models are often simplified versions of reality, and so may have limited accuracy in predicting the truth.
Name three examples of types of model
- Descriptive model
- Representational model
- Spatial model
- Computational model
- Mathematical model
What is a descriptive model?
One that describes what’s happening in a certain situation without explaining why.
E.g. a graph showing the rate of a chemical reaction at different temparatures
What is a representational model?
A simplified description of what is happening in real life, that can be used to explain observations or make predictions
E.g. the lock and key model for an enzyme
What is a spatial model?
One that is used to analyse how data are arranged within a physical space
E.g. could be used to look for relationships between the distribution of different species and the physical environment
What is a computational model?
Where computers are used to simulate complex real-life processes - useful when there are lots of variables that influence an outcome
E.g. modelling climate change and what would happen if CO2 levels were changed
What is a mathematical model?
Used to describe the relationship between numerical variables, such as an equation
E.g. an equation that predicts how a disease may spread through a population
Give an example of non-peer reviewed material.
What is the problem with a lack of peer review?
Magazine and newspaper aritcles on scientific discoveries.
Lack of peer review means there is a risk that the reports are inaccurate or reported in a biased way
What is bias?
A systematic error in an experiment that results in a change in the final answer, such that it doesn’t represent the truth (e.g. may be an over- or underestimate)
