Biology CH:1 The scientific method Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is Biology?
Biology is the study of living things
What is a Scientific method?
Is a process if investigation in which problems are identified and their suggested explanation are tested by carrying out experiments.
What are the steps in the scientific method?
- Observation
- Hypothesis
- Experimentation
- Collection and interpretation of data
- Conclusion
- Relating the conclusion to existing knowledge
- Reporting and publishing the results
What is Observation?
Observation is when something is noticed
What is Hypothesis?
A hypothesis is an educated guess based on observation
What is Experimentation?
Is designed to test the hypothesis
What is Data
Data consists of the measurements, observations and information gathered from the results of an experiment.
What is a conclusion
Is a summary of the results of an experiments
Reporting and publishing the results
The results of experiments should be written down and reported that they can be examined by others.
What is a theory
Is a hypothesis that has been supported by many different experiments.
What is a principles or laws?
A principles or laws arises from a theory that has been shown to be valid when fully tested over a long period of time.
What is control?
Is used to provide a comparison against which the actual experiment can be judged
What are the “Principles of experimentation”?
- Careful planning and design
- Ensure that the experiment is safe
- Design a control experiment
- Experiments must be fair
How are variables and constant used in an experiment?
In most experiments only single variables is tested. All the other variables should be constant.
How are ‘experiments must be fair’?
- Sample size.
- Random selection.
- Others must be able to replicate experiments.
- Double blinding testing
Sample size
A large sample produces more reliable results
When carrying out an experiment it is important that more than one person or object is tested.
Random selection
When selecting a sample to be tested, the selection should be random. This is to prevent bias by the person carrying out the experiment.
What is a replicate
is a repeat of an experiment
Double blind
Means that both the investigator and the participant are unaware of the nature of the treatment the participant is receiving.
What are the ‘Limitation of the value of the scientific method’?
- Extent of our knowledge
- The basis of investigation
- Interpreting results
- Changes in natural world
- Accidental discoveries
(Facts) Thalidomide
Is a drugs that was used to treat morning sickness in human pregnancy.
What are Ethics?
relates to whether conduct is right or wrong
