Appendix A

Question 1

Scientific method (flow)

Answer 1

observation -> question -> hypothesis (predictions) -> experimental manipulations/correlational study –> collect and analyze data –> interpret results

cyclical process as in final result might make scientist ask more questions

Question 2

The scientific method enables us to…

Answer 2

overcome inherent biases, beliefs, prejudices, expectations

Question 3

Questions must be

Answer 3

relevant and testable (answered). Questions can be…
HOW
- physiological or morphological mechanisms
or
WHY
- ecological and evolutionary processes

Question 4

hypothesis

Answer 4

clearly stated, proposed explanation for observations (proposes relationship between factors and observed phenomenon)

Question 5

A good hypothesis

Answer 5

guides the design of the experiment and type of study conducted and focuses observation of phenomenon in question to avoid the collection of irrelevant and extraneous data (what are you measuring)

Question 6

What is null hypothesis and why do we use it?

Answer 6

Null hypothesis states that factor you are interested in has no effect on observed results. Used because a hypothesis can NEVER be proven. Hypotheses can only be disproved as we cannot generalize results to apply to an entire population and we can never be sure that the result of the next experiment will not contradict hypothesis/theory.

Question 7

conclusions must be guided by

Answer 7

evidence not what we think is true. Always assume nothing is happening unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Question 8

experimental manipulation

Answer 8

artificial manipulation is used to investigate the relationship between one factor and another

Question 9

correlational studies

Answer 9

use natural variation to investigate the relationship between one factor and another (nothing about system is altered). Don’t use term “independent” or “dependent variable as the study only looks at the association between traits not whether one depends on the other.

Question 10

treatments

Answer 10

Independent variable is manipulated in varying degrees thus creating groupings. Name for different groups of altered organisms.

Question 11

controls

Answer 11

act as reference point ensure results of experimental manipulation are biologically valid (important but sometimes unnecessary)

Question 12

advantages of correlational studies

Answer 12

1. less handling of organisms
2. systems observed are more likely to be in natural state
3. represent biologically relevant information
4. Sometimes the only viable option where experimental manipulation is not practical or ethical

Question 13

advantages of experimental manipulation

Answer 13

1. more likely to control for confounding variables (factors that can damage validity of experiment)
2. we know the direction of causation

Question 14

A theory is a good theory if it satisfies two requirements…

Answer 14

it must accurately describe a large class of observations and it must make definite predictions about the results of future observations. Theories, hypotheses, etc are only viable if they represent the best general predictive statement that is supported by all the experimental evidence.