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Investigative Biology Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the scientific cycle

A 
Construction of a testable hypotheses 
Experimental design
Gathering, recording and analysis of data
Evaluation of results 
Conclusion
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2
Q

A sound scientific hypothesis…

A

Must be based on established data
Can be tested
Can be proven false

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3
Q

Data can be collected in the form of…

A

Observations (see, smell, hear, taste, touch)

Measurements

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4
Q

Scientists analyse data for….

A

Trends or patterns

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5
Q

After a trend in the results is found…

A

You must accept, revise or reject the hypothesis based on the data from the experiment and continue to analyse until the hypothesis seems sound

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6
Q

Negative results are produced in two cases:…

A

Hypothesis is wrong

Experiment carried out incorrectly

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7
Q

Failure to find an effect is a valid finding as long as…

A

An experiment is well designed

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8
Q

Null hypothesis

A

A statement which proposes that there will be no statistically significant effect as a result of the experiment

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9
Q

Scientific ideas only become accepted once they have been…

A

Peer reviewed ( checked independently)

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10
Q

Communication within the scientific community is incredibly important. It allows findings to be shared with others to further their research.
It is important that…..

A

Methods data, analysis and conclusions are published in scientific reports so the others are able to repeat an experiment

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11
Q

Name ways in which scientific findings are shared

A 
Seminars
Talks
Posters
Confrences
Academic journals
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12
Q

Review articles

A

Scientific journals summarise current knowledge and recent findings in a particular feild

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13
Q

All published data should be….

A

Peer reviewed and critically evaluated with expertise in the relevant field. This ensures scientifically correct information is being shared within the community

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14
Q

Science stories in the media are often….

A

Misrepresented So coverage must be critically evaluated

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15
Q

Ethics

A

Ideas and beliefs about what type of behaviour is morally right or wrong

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16
Q

Science relies on the reporting of….

A

Unbaised presentation of results, citing and providing references snd avoiding plagiarism

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17
Q

The replication of experiments by others reduces

A

The opportunity for dishonesty or the deliberate misuse of science

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18
Q

The three Rs

A

Replacement
Reduction
Refinement

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19
Q

Replacement

A

Replacing the animal with an alternative such as tissue cultures or a less sentient species

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20
Q

Reduction

A

Using the minimalist number of animals in order to obtain results

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21
Q

Refinement

A

Using methods that minimise potential pain, suffering or distress on animals

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22
Q

When using human subjects there are several concepts that must be used to ensure human rights are adhered to

A

In formed consent
The right to withdraw
Confidentiality

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23
Q

The right to withdraw

A

The participants have the ability to remove themselves from a trail at any time during the study

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24
Q

Confidentiality

A

Any data does not identify the subject and they can remain anonymous
Data is not shared without their consent

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25
Risks in a scientific experiment must be considered for the safety of the...
Subject species Individuals Investigators Environment
26
Legislation
Laws governing various aspects of science, legislation limits the potential for misuse of studies or data
27
What can influence scentific research
Legislation Regulation Policy Funding
28
The value or quality of scientific investigations must be justifiable in terms of...
Benefits
29
As a result of the risks involved many areas of scientific research are...
Highly regulated and licensed by governments
30
Validity
Variables controlled so that any measured effects is likely to be due to the independent variable
31
Reliability
Consulate values are active in repeates and independent replicates
32
Accuracy
Data, or means of data sets are close to the truest value
33
Precision
Measured values are close to each other
34
Pilot study
Small scale preliminary studies which aim to investigate whether crucial components of a study will be testable
35
Pilot studies are essential to...
Plan procedures, asses validity, check techniques and help evaluate and modify experimental design
36
Pilot studies ensues appropriate values for
Independent variables | No. Of repeat measurement
37
Variable
Any factor that can be controlled changed or measured in an experiment
38
Continuous variable
Can take on infinity, many, uncountable values | Eh. Length , concentration, wavelength
39
Discrete
You can have a finite range of values | Colour, presence/absence, shoe size
40
Experiments involve the manipulation of the... by the investigator
Independent variable
41
Independent variable
Variable that is changed in a scientific experiment
42
Dependent variable
Variable that is measured in a scientific experiment
43
An experimental treatment will me compared to a....
Control group
44
What is a drawback of simple experiments
It’s findings may not be applicable in the field
45
Multifactorial experiment
Involves a combination of one independent variable or combination of treatments
46
Confounding variable
Variables that may affect the experiment but are not independent or dependent
47
In cases where a confounding variable cannot be controled......
a randomised block design could be used
48
Control
An experimental group where no treatment is given
49
Negative controls
Provides results in the absence of treatments
50
Positive controls
A treatment that is included to check that the system can detect a positive result when it occurs
51
Placebos
Included as a treatment without the absence of the independent variable being investigated.
52
Placebo effect
A measurable change in the dependent variable as a result of patients expectations rather than changes in the independent variable
53
In vivo
Experimentation using a whole living organism
54
In vitro
Performing a given procedure in a controlled environment outside of a living organism
55
What is an advantage to in vitro
Better control of your experiment and any confounding variables
56
What is an advantage to in vivo
Better idea of what is going on inside the cell or organism
57
What is an disadvantage to in vitro
Not possible for many studies | Does not show effect on non target cells
58
What is an disadvantage to in vivo
Living organisms show great variability which can’t really be controlled
59
Representative sample
A sample which shows the extent of the natural variation within a population More variable populations require a larger sample size Should have the same mean and degree of variation
60
Random sampling
Members of the population have an equal chance of being selected
61
Systematic sampling
Members of the population are selected at regular intervals
62
Stratified sampling
The population is divided into categories that are sampled proportionally
63
Variation in experimental results can be caused by
Realisability of measurement methods Inherent variation in specimens Precision and accuracy of repeated measurements
64
The reliability of measuring instruments or procedures can be determined by...
Repeated measurements or readings of an individual datum point
65
Qualitative data
Data which is subjective and descriptive
66
Quantitative data
Data that can be measured objectively, equally with a numerical value
67
Ranked data
Data transformation in which numerical values are replicated by their rank when data is sorted from lowest to highest
68
Mean
The average value of data
69
Median
The middle value
70
Mode
The most common value
71
Error bars
Graphical representations used to indicate error or uncertainty in a reported measurement
72
Correlation
An association that does not imply causation
73
Positive correlation
When an increase in one variable is accompanied by an increase in the other
74
Negative correlation
When an increase in one variable is accompanied by an increase in the other
75
Scientific reports should contain
Explanatory title Abstracts (aims and findings) Introduction Sources (supporting statements, citations and references)
76
An Aim must....
Link the independent and the dependent variables
77
The introduction should...
Why the study has been carried out | Place the study in the context of existing understanding
78
A method should contain
Sufficient information to allow another investor to repeat the work Should address the intended aim and test the hypothesis Allow treatment effects to be compared to the controls
79
Any compounding variables should be...
Taken into account or standardised across treatments
80
The validity of an experiment may be compromised when...
Factors other than the independent variable influences the value of the dependent variable
81
An experimental design that does not address the intended aim or test the hypothesis is...
Invalid
82
Selection bias
The selection of a sample in a non-random way, so that the sample is not representative of the whole population
83
If the sample size is too small...
It cannot be decided without bias whether the change to the independent variable has caused an effect in the dependent variable
84
Statistical tests
Used to determine whether the differences between the means are likely or unlikely to have occurred by chance
85
A statistically significant result is one that...
Is unlikely to have occurred due to chance alone | Error bars do not overlap
86
Conclusions should include...
Reference to the aim, the results and the hypothesis The validity and reliability of the experimental design Whether results can be attributed to correlation or causation
87
Evaluations should include
Reference to existing knowledge and the results of other investigations Reveal awareness of the contribution of scientific research to increasing scientific knowledge and to the social, economic and industrial life of the community

Advanced Higher Biology (3 decks)

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