Scientific Method Flashcards
Biology
Study of living things
Scientific method
Identify problems from investigations and to test possible investigations by experimentation
Hypothesis
Educated guess based on observation
Purpose of hyposthesis
Form basis of prediction
Purpose of experimentation
To test hypothesis
Data
Consists of measurements and info gathered from experiments
Theory
Hypothesis that’s supported by numerous experiments
Law / principle
Theory shown to be correct when tested over a long period of time
Where are results published?
Scientific journal
Internet
Why are results published?
Information made widely available
Spread knowledge / peer review
Variable
A Factor that can change in an experiment
Control
Provide comparaison against the experiment
Replicate
When experiment is repeated
Placebo
Harmless drug, given to patients in control group
How do you keep experiments fair
- Sample size - large sample = more accurate results
- Random selection - both males + females, diff age groups = avoid bias
- Double blind testing - participant and investigator don’t know who gets treatment/placebo = avoid bias
