1A-Methodology & Philosophy Flashcards
Scientific method
Logical problem solving technique (10 main steps)
Observation-1
discovery of an unexpected event or phenomenon
Research question(s)-2
guides literature & hypothesis construction
Research-3
review of relevant literature
Hypothesis-4
A prediction that purposes a cause, predicts cause and effect. Written in the if-then format
Null Hypothesis
expected cause has no effect on the outcome
Conclusion
statement that confirms or rejects the hypothesis
Theory
statement of understanding, based on challenged evidence, scientifically supported explanation
Test of hypothesis-5
A controlled scientific experiment
Independent variable
one manipulated by research
Dependent variable
the factor being measured
Control
or controlled group…does not receive any treatment, used for comparison
Analysis of data-6
data:supports hypothesis–>conclusion
rejects hypothesis–>data may be used as research
to help construct new hypothesis
Charts/tables: independent variable=left or top
dependent variable=right or bottom
Graph: independent variable=x or horizontal axis
dependent variable= y or vertical axis
Conclusion-9
concluding statement accepting-8 or rejecting-9 the hypothesis
Communication-10
All data, communicating results advances understanding. Conclusions–>Concepts, Concepts–>Theories, Theories–>Natural Laws
Characteristics of research
Skepticism: treat new data with doubt
Tolerance of uncertainty: like assembling a jigsaw puzzle
Research bias: can’t overlook flaws/misread data
Theory
scientific explanations of a phenomena, collection of hypothesis
Fact
something that is always true, verifiability is the test of it
Scientific Law
formal universal science statement describing the phenomenon
Models
simplified substitutes that make concepts or processes easier to visualize and understand
scientific design
procedure used to create a fair test of a hypothesis
experimental design
blueprint of the procedure for a fair test of a hypothesis, including data collection which must include the who, how, when and what
problem statement
is a clear definition of the problem being investigated
treatment group
is the population that will receive the independent variable/”treatment”
variables
factors that if not distributed equally between controlled and treatment groups may confound the experiment results
uncontrolled variables
major source of experimental error, could render data useless
types of errors in experimental design
Human error, instrument limitations, manipulation, external influences, poor experimental design, sampling
