The Scientific Method

Question 1

Biology is the study of?

Answer 1

Living things

Question 2

Microbiology is the study of?

Answer 2

Study of small living things

Question 3

What is the scientific method?

Answer 3

Is a process of investigation in which problems are identified and their suggested explanations are tested by carrying out experiments.

Question 4

Name 7 steps of scientific method.

Answer 4

Observation,
Hypothesis,
Experimentation,
Collection and interpretation of data,
Conclusion,
Relating the conclusion to existing knowledge,
Reporting and publishing the results.

Question 5

What does ‘observation’ involve?

Answer 5

When something is noticed

Question 6

Definition of hypothesis?

Answer 6

proposed (or possible) explanation for an observation

Question 7

What does ‘experimentation’ involve?

Answer 7

Is designed to test a hypothesis

Question 8

What does ‘collection and interpretation of data’ involve?

Answer 8

The information obtained during experimentation is collected, recorded, analysed

Question 9

What does ‘conclusion’ involve?

Answer 9

Is a statement of the interpretation of the results.

Question 10

What does ‘relating the conclusion to existing knowledge’ involve?

Answer 10

The conclusion of an experiment should tie in with existing knowledge of the topic being examined

Question 11

What does ‘reporting and publishing the results’ involve?

Answer 11

Info is made available

Spread knowledge

Peer review

Publish work

Question 12

Name 2 ways to publish results.

Answer 12

Scientific journal or world wide web

Question 13

What’s a theory?

Answer 13

A hypothesis that’s been supported by many different experiments

Question 14

What’s a principle of law?

Answer 14

Arises from a theory that’s been shown to be valid when fully tested over a long period of time

Question 15

What is an experiment?

Answer 15

A test for a hypothesis

Question 16

What is a variable?

Answer 16

A factor that may change in an experiment

Question 17

Name the 4 principles of experimentation.

Answer 17

1. Careful planning and design
2. Ensure experiment is safe
3. Design a control experiment
4. Experiments must be fair

Question 18

In most experiments what is tested?

Answer 18

Only a single factors or one variable

Question 19

All other variables in an experiment should be?

Answer 19

Kept constant

Question 20

Give 5 safety features.

Answer 20

• tie back long hair
• wear a laboratory coat
• wear safety goggles (where required)
• don’t place finger in mouth/eyes before washing your hands
• report accidents to teacher

Question 21

What is a control?

Answer 21

Used to provide a comparison

Question 22

Name a pill used for a control group.

Answer 22

Placebo

Question 23

What is a placebo?

Answer 23

Eg: neither patients or medical staff know who is getting the placebo and who’s getting the real drug

Question 24

Give 4 factors to ensure experiments are fair.

Answer 24

• sample size
• random selection
• others must be able to replicate experiments
• double blind testing

Question 25

Why do large sample sizes provide more reliable results?

Answer 25

Ensure that the effects of individual differences don’t matter

Question 26

3 benefits of random selection?

Answer 26

Reduces bias, greater reliability, fair test

Question 27

What does replicate mean?

Answer 27

A repeat of an experiment

Question 28

3 benefits of others being able to replicate experiments?

Answer 28

Ensure reliability Verify results Avoid bias

Question 29

What is double blind testing?

Answer 29

Neither the tester nor the subject knows who’s getting the drug

Question 30

Name the 5 limitations of the scientific method.

Answer 30

1. Extent of our knowledge 2. Basis of investigation 3. Ability to interpret results 4. Application to nature 5. Accidental discoveries 6. Human error 7. Experimental design 8. Bias

Question 31

What does ‘the extent of our knowledge’ mean?

Answer 31

Ability to form a hypothesis or design an experiment is dependent on amount we know relating to our observations

Question 32

What does ‘basis of investigation’ mean?

Answer 32

If an investigation is badly designed/carried out poorly it will not provide results as valid as they should be

Question 33

What does ‘ability to interpret results’ mean?

Answer 33

If results are interpreted wrong, faulty conclusions and hypotheses may be drawn

Question 34

What does ‘changes in the natural world’ mean?

Answer 34

Can lead to results that apply only to living things at a particular time. Living things are constantly evolving.

Question 35

What does ‘accidental discoveries’ mean?

Answer 35

Insights found by accident

Question 36

Name 3 additional limitations of the scientific method?

Answer 36

Human error Experimental design Bias

Question 37

What does ethics mean?

Answer 37

Whether something is (morally) right or wrong

Question 38

Name 5 examples of ethical issues.

Answer 38

- use of captive animals in experiments - cloning animals - medical issues (abortion, contraception) - freezing sperm and embryos of humans - organ transplants (especially from animals to humans)