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AH Biology > 3.2c - Experimental Design > Flashcards

3.2c - Experimental Design Flashcards

1
Q

The independent variable is…

A

the one you change

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2
Q

The dependent variable is…

A

the one you measure

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3
Q

Independent and dependent variables can be…

A

continuous or discrete

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4
Q

Experiments involve the manipulation of the…

A

independent variable by the investigator

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5
Q

The experimental treatment group is compared to…

A

a control group

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6
Q

Simple experimental designs have…

A

one independent variable

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7
Q

Multifactoral experimental designs have…

A

more than one independent variable

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8
Q

A benefit of simple experiments is that…

A

the control of laboratory conditions allows simple experiments to be conducted more easily than in the field

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9
Q

A limit of simple experiments is that…

A

their findings may not be applicable to a wider setting

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10
Q

A benefit of multifactoral experiments is that…

A

they are more relevant to complex biological systems

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11
Q

A limit of multifactoral experiments is that…

A

they are more complex to analyse and require careful experimental design and complex statistics for valid conclusions to be drawn

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12
Q

In an experiment, investigators may use groups that already exist so that…

A

there is no truly independent variable

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13
Q

In observational studies the independent variable is…

A

not directly controlled by the investigator, for ethical or logistical reasons

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14
Q

Observational studies are good for…

A

detecting correlation

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15
Q

Observational studies are less good for…

A

determining causation because they do not directly test for a hypothesis

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16
Q

Causation exists if…

A

changes in the values
of the independent variable are known to cause changes to the value of the dependent variable

17
Q

Other variables (confounding variables) besides the independent variable may affect the dependent variable due to…

A

the complexities of biological systems

18
Q

Confounding variables must be held constant if possible, or monitored so…

A

that their effect can be accounted for in the analysis

19
Q

Any change in confounding variables any affect…

A

in the validity of any observed change in the dependent variable

20
Q

What can be used in cases where confounding variables cannot be easily controlled?

A

a randomised block design

21
Q

Randomised blocks of treatment and control groups can be distributed in such a way that…

A

the influence of any confounding variable is likely to be the same across the treatment and control groups

22
Q

Control results are used for…

A

the comparison with the results of treatment groups

22
Q

Controls the determine the…

A

validity of any change in the dependent variable

23
Q

What 2 controls can be used in experiments?

A

positive and negative

24
Q

Negative controls…

A

provide results in the absence of a treatment eg placebo

25
Q

Positive controls…

A

check that the system can detect a positive result when it occurs

26
Q

Placebos can be included as a treatment without…

A

the presence of the independent variable being investigated

27
Q

Placebo effect is…

A

measurable change in the dependent variable as a result of a patient’s expectations, rather than changes in the independent variable

28
Q

In vitro refers to…

A

the technique of performing a given procedure in a controlled environment outside of a living organism

29
Q

3 examples of in vitro experiments

A
  • cells growing in culture medium
  • proteins in solution
  • purified organelles
30
Q

In vivo refers to…

A

experimentation using a whole, living organism

31
Q

An advantage of an in vitro study is…

A

that it is easily controlled

32
Q

A disadvantage of an in vitro study is…

A

that its relevance may be limited in vivo

33
Q

An advantage of an in vivo study is…

A

that it allows possible side effects to be seen

34
Q

A disadvantage of an in vivo study is…

A

that it can be unethical

AH Biology (34 decks)

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