1A1 Nature of Science Flashcards
Understand scientific knowledge develops by exploring how concepts evolve over time, and how laws, theories, and models are used to explain and test ideas.
Define:
The Scientific Method
A systematic approach used to investigate questions and gain knowledge about the natural world through empirical evidence and observation.
The scientific method allows scientists to structure experiments that yield objective results.
Key components include forming a hypothesis, conducting experiments, and analyzing results to reach conclusions.
Its structure helps mitigate bias and supports repeatability, making findings more reliable.
List six key steps of the scientific method.
- Ask a question
- Conduct background research
- Formulate a hypothesis
- Design and conduct an experiment
- Analyze the data
- Draw a conclusion
These steps form a cycle that may require iteration.
If initial findings are inconclusive, scientists often revisit earlier steps to refine questions or methods, ensuring a comprehensive investigation.
State four essential elements of a good hypothesis.
- Be specific
- Be testable
- Have clear variables
- Indicate expected results
A hypothesis should be based on evidence or preliminary research.
“If… then…” statements help clarify the cause-effect relationship being tested.
Vague or opinion-based hypotheses, such as “Ice cream tastes best at midnight,” cannot be tested objectively.
Why is reproducibility a fundamental principle of science?
It ensures consistent replication of results, strengthening their validity.
Reproducibility is a cornerstone of scientific reliability, enabling peer review and verification.
How do scientific concepts evolve over time?
New evidence emerges from scientific experiments refining or challenging previous concepts.
Scientific ideas are not static.
Discoveries, new technologies, and improved techniques often lead to revised scientific concepts.
What is the significance of generalization in scientific work?
It is forming broad conclusions based on observations or patterns found in specific instances.
Generalizations help scientists predict behavior in similar scenarios but require careful validation to avoid overreach.
What distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific law?
A theory explains why phenomena occur, whereas a law describes a consistent pattern or relationship.
Theories cannot become laws, and laws cannot become theories.
What is the role of preliminary research in developing a hypothesis?
- To gather information that addresses all sides of the question.
- To inform the prediction.
Conflicting studies can aid in forming a more robust hypothesis.
Define:
scientific source
It is any origin of information, data, or evidence used to support, develop, or verify research findings.
Examples include articles, books, and websites.
Credible sources should be relevant, reliable, and accurate.
What is experimental design?
- A way to test a hypothesis through a series of steps.
- It creates controlled conditions for an experiment.
It aims to limit exposure to outside interference and form conclusions based on the hypothesis.
What are the five main stages of experimental design?
- Define the variables
- Formulate a hypothesis
- Design the experiment
- Assign subjects
- Measure the dependent variable
Each step is crucial for conducting a valid experiment.
Define:
hypothesis
A testable idea, prediction, or educated guess about a relationship between two variables.
If you hypothesize that “sunlight makes plants grow faster”, you can test this by exposing plants to different amounts of sunlight and comparing their growth.
Hypotheses guide investigations by suggesting what results might be expected.
Fill in the blank:
A ________ ____ describes a consistent natural pattern but does not explain why it happens.
Scientific law
Newton’s law of gravity, for example, describes the attraction between masses but does not explain the cause of gravity. Laws can often be expressed in mathematical formulas, like 𝐹=𝑚𝑎, which states that force equals mass times acceleration.
What is the difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis?
- A hypothesis is unproven.
- A theory has been repeatedly tested and validated.
Hypotheses are like options on a multiple-choice test—they need testing to see if they’re correct. A theory is like the answer key; it’s been confirmed by experiments and evidence.
True or false:
Scientific ideas never change over time.
False
Science is dynamic and continually evolving. When new evidence contradicts old ideas, scientists adjust theories to fit the new data.
For instance, the shift from Newtonian physics to Einstein’s theory of relativity provided a more accurate understanding of space, time, and gravity. Science advances by building on what’s known and adapting as new information emerges.
Define:
dogma
An unquestioned belief that isn’t tested or open to change.
Unlike scientific knowledge, which evolves through testing and evidence, dogmas are fixed ideas that are often accepted without question.
For centuries, it was widely believed that the sun revolved around Earth—a dogma held by many until astronomers like Copernicus and Galileo provided evidence showing that Earth orbits the sun. Dogmas limit progress because they don’t adapt to new evidence.
Fill in the blank:
Pseudoscience promotes ideas that do not follow the _______ ______.
Scientific method
Pseudoscience lacks rigorous testing and relies on beliefs, often presenting unverified claims as facts.
Astrology, for instance, suggests that stars affect human behavior, but it lacks testable evidence and does not adhere to the scientific method. In contrast, real science is grounded in empirical data, experiments, and peer-reviewed research, making it more reliable.
How does science drive new discoveries?
By questioning, testing, and refining existing ideas.
Science advances by challenging existing knowledge, exploring new questions, and testing assumptions.
The discovery of penicillin was a breakthrough that happened because scientists were curious and open to testing new ideas. Through experiments and evidence, scientists have developed countless medical treatments, technologies, and scientific theories that have advanced our understanding and quality of life.
How does statistics contribute to scientific research?
It is used to analyze, interpret, and validate scientific data.
Statistics help scientists analyze and interpret data through various methods including descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode), and inferential statistics (hypothesis testing, confidence intervals).
Why is peer review essential in scientific research?
To ensure research quality and accuracy.
Peer review allows other experts to evaluate and verify a study before publication, helping to prevent errors, bias, or faulty conclusions.
True or false:
Science can achieve absolute certainty.
False
Science seeks high probability rather than certainty, as knowledge evolves with new evidence.
Define:
scientific model
A simplified representation of something complex.
Scientific models assist scientists in explaining and studying complex systems by focusing on key aspects while omitting less relevant details.
For example, the atomic model represents atoms and how they interact, even though atoms are too small to observe directly. Models make complex ideas easier to understand and communicate.
What happens when new evidence disproves a scientific theory?
The theory is revised or refined based on new evidence.
Scientific theories are adaptable and may change as new evidence emerges.
For example, the atomic theory evolved as scientists discovered subatomic particles, demonstrating that theories grow and improve with new findings.
True or false:
A scientific theory can become a scientific law over time.
False
A theory explains why something occurs, while a law describes what happens. While theories can help explain patterns observed in laws, they don’t transform into laws themselves.
What is the first step in solving any scientific problem?
Making observations.
Observations involve noticing details and gathering information about a phenomenon. For example, observing that plants lean toward sunlight can lead to questions about how light affects growth.
How can categorization help in scientific research?
It helps organize findings into known groups.
Categorization helps scientists in grouping data into categories like force or momentum, making it easier to understand patterns, compare new findings, and build on existing knowledge.
Define:
Inference
A conclusion drawn based on evidence and reasoning.
Inferences enable scientists predict outcomes or make educated guesses.
For instance, if plants grow faster with sunlight, scientists might infer that light is crucial for photosynthesis, even before fully testing it.
What is the next step in the scientific process after collecting data?
Analyze the data and make inferences to draw conclusions.
Data analysis involves comparing results with previous research to understand outcomes and make accurate conclusions. This step helps confirm findings or reveals new questions for future research.
What is empirical data?
Information that is verifiable by observation and/or experience.
Empirical data are crucial for supporting or rejecting a hypothesis. It’s data you can observe directly or measure, such as counting the number of plants that grow in sunlight compared to shade to test how light affects plant growth.
How is background research carried out in scientific inquiry?
Finding existing knowledge about the topic of investigation using credible sources.
It helps you learn what has already been studied about a topic. It involves reviewing past experiments, scientific papers, or other reliable sources, like finding out what’s been discovered about how exercise impacts heart health before conducting your own study.
How can biases affect scientific experiments?
They can lead to prejudices that impact data interpretation.
Biases, whether conscious or unconscious, can affect how scientists design experiments, collect data, or interpret results.
For example, if a researcher believes a drug will work, they might unintentionally focus on results that support this belief, skewing the findings and affecting the experiment’s validity.
Fill in the blank:
In scientific experiments, data that can be measured and expressed numerically is called _________ _____.
quantitative data
Quantitative data consists of numbers that can be analyzed to identify patterns and trends, making it easier to draw clear and objective conclusions.
True or false:
Larger sample sizes do not improve the reliability of experimental results.
False
Larger sample sizes reduce errors, making results more reliable and generalizable. This is why large-scale clinical trials, involving thousands of participants, yield more reliable data on the effects of new medications than small studies.
True or false:
Falsifiability refers to the ability of a hypothesis or theory to be proven wrong through evidence.
True
A statement must be testable and potentially falsifiable to be considered scientific; this distinguishes science from beliefs or opinions.
For example, Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity predicted that light would bend around a massive object like the sun. This was tested and confirmed during a solar eclipse in 1919, but if the light had not bent as predicted, the theory would have been falsified.
What is the role of ethics in scientific research?
It ensures research is conducted responsibly and respects human and animal rights.
Ethical guidelines help prevent harm, ensure informed consent, and foster integrity in scientific research.
Define:
Pilot study
A small-scale preliminary study conducted before a full research project.
Pilot studies help researchers test their methods, identify potential problems, and refine their approach before investing in a larger study.
For example, testing a new teaching method with one class before implementing it across an entire school.
