Topic 2: Scientific Methods Flashcards
define evolution
descend with modification
what is a brief description of the evolutionary theory?
- the body of knowledge that explains evolution and guides our exploration of biodiversity
define the term “theory”
- set of broad, comprehensive, systematic explanation of an aspect of the natural world based on body of evidence and repeated experiments
what are the characteristics of a theory?
- overarching and broad scope
- supported by strong chains of evidence (multiple reputable sources)
- serve as framework and guide for research
- contain multiple hypothesis’s and other theories
define the term “facts”
indisputable observations of natural phenomenon
define the term “data”
- recorded observations of natural phenomenon
what are the different types of data?
- qualitative
- quantitative
what is qualitative data?
discrete units of records (eg) colour
what is quantitative data?
continuous, numerical records (height)
define the term “hypothesis”
tentative explanation of certain natural phenomenon based on available factual data that leads to testable predictions
what are the characteristics of a hypothesis?
- specific and narrow scope
- supported by some evidence (previous research)
- serve to proposed a predicative explanation for testing
- hypotheses are either true or false (which means they are falsifiable)
- never accept a hypothesis (can only be referenced by assuming is true)
what are the steps to scientific research?
- observe
- ponder
- hypothesize
- experiment
- write report
what are the steps to observation?
- understand the type of question (mechanistic or evolutionary)
- establish question
- clearly define the data that would be collected to answer the question
- observe & collect data
- help formulate ideas and hypothesis
what are mechanistic questions focussed on?
identify species and development in embryo
what are evolutionary questions focussed on?
- how or why a characteristic occurs
- is it adaptive or not?
what is inductive reasoning?
logical process of going from observations to a generalized conclusion
(going from specific to general)
what is deductive reasoning?
logical process of reaching a conclusion through things that are assumed to be true (go from general to specific)
what is a controlled experiment?
scientific test with one or more independent factors being modified while all the remaining factors are the same (have a control group and an experimental group)
what is the purpose of having a control group?
serves as a baseline of what would happen to our sample with no modifications, allows us to better measure the affect our modifications have
after running experiments what are the two types of conclusion we can reach?
- correlation
- causation
what is a correlation conclusion? what are these conclusions used for?
- two things progress and change together (positive correlation = they increase together)
- used to predict conditions and status
what is a causation conclusion? what are these conclusions used for?
- changes in one thing lead to changes in another (more strict and absolute)
- used to understand mechanisms
what is a simple comparison between inductive and deductive reasoning?
- inductive –> can formulate premises and hypothesis
- deductive –> formulate predictions
when giving a hypothesis what are the three components that you must include?
- background information (from class or textbooks)
- explanation of phenomenon (hypothesis)
- prediction (what is being tested and is proven either right or wrong)
