The Scientific Method Flashcards
Define Biology
Biology is the study of living organisms
What are the steps of the scientific method?
- Observation
- Hypothesis
- Experimentation
- Collection and interpretation of data
- Conclusion
- Relating conclusion to existing knowledge
- Reporting and publishing the results
Define Observation
An observation is when something is noticed
Define Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an educated guess based on observations
Define experiment
An experiment is designed to test a hypothesis
Define Conclusion
A conclusion is a summary of the results of the experiment
Define what a theory is
A theory is a hypothesis that has been supported by many different experiments
Define variable
A variable is a factor that may change in an experiment
Give principles of experimentation
- Careful planning design
- Ensure the experiment is safe
- Design a control experiment
- Experiments must be fair
How can we ensure experiments are kept fair?
- Large sample size
- Random selection
- Experiment must be able to be replicated
- Double blind testing
What is double blind testing
Double blind testing means both investigator and the participant are unaware of which treatment is placebo
What are some limitations of the scientific method
- The extent of our knowledge
- The basis of investigation
- Interpreting results
- Changes in the natural world
- Accidental discoveries
What are ethics?
Ethics refers to whether an experiment is right or wrong
