1.3 Study Set Flashcards
What is the difference between the dependent and independent variable?
The independent variable is what changes and the dependent variable is the outcome of the independent variable.
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables, often phrased as an “If…then…” statement.
How do you write a good hypothesis?
A good hypothesis should be clear, testable, and include both the independent and dependent variables. It typically follows the structure: “If [independent variable] is changed, then [dependent variable] will change.”
What is an independent variable?
An independent variable is the variable that is deliberately changed or manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
What is a dependent variable?
A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in an experiment; it is affected by changes in the independent variable.
What is a control group?
A control group is a group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment, allowing researchers to compare results and determine the effect of the independent variable.
Why is a control group important in an experiment?
A control group is important because it provides a baseline for comparison, helping to ensure that the results of the experiment are due to the independent variable and not other factors.
How do you identify a good control group?
A good control group should be identical to the experimental group in every way except for the independent variable being tested, ensuring any differences in results are due to the experimental treatment.
What is an experimental group?
An experimental group is the group in an experiment that receives the treatment or condition being tested.
What role do error bars play in data analysis?
Error bars represent the variability of data and indicate the range within which the true value is likely to fall, providing a visual way to assess the reliability of the data.
How do you interpret the length of error bars on a graph?
Longer error bars suggest more variability or less precision in the data, while shorter error bars suggest less variability and more precision.
What does it mean when error bars overlap in a graph?
If error bars overlap, it suggests that there may not be a significant difference between the data points or groups being compared.
What does it mean when error bars do not overlap?
If error bars do not overlap, it suggests that there may be a statistically significant difference between the data points or groups being compared.
What is the null hypothesis?
The null hypothesis is a statement that there is no effect or no difference, and it serves as the default assumption to be tested against.
How do you determine if data support a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is supported if the data shows a consistent relationship between the independent and dependent variables, and the results are statistically significant.
