Chapter 1 & 2 Flashcards
Define human biological science
The scientific study of humans, both as individuals and populations, and the study of the interaction between humans and their environments
Define objectivity
Not allowing your thoughts or feelings to influence how you record or interpret observations
What is a hypothesis
Idea or explanation you test through study and experimentation
What is classification
Grouping of organisms into categories on the basis of relationships between them
How can we ensure objectivity in an experiment
Make observations by measurement rather than by simply recording things like the appearance of an organism or smell of a solution
What is validity
The extent to which an experiment tests what it is supposed to test
What is reliability
The extent to which an experiment gives the same results each time it is performed
What is repetition
Performing the same experiment many times
How to work out the mean of a group of measurements
Add up all measurements then divide by the total number of measurements
What is the process of the scientific method
Identify a problem, collect info, make hypothesis, test hypothesis, collect data, conclude
Define scientific method
The Systematic Collection and classification of data, and the making and testing of hypotheses based on the data
what must a good hypothesis include
Must be a definite statement (not a question), is short, is a single idea, can be tested and links two variables
how can we achieve repetition
Doing the same experiment many times or having a large sample size
What are the three different types of error
Human, random and systematic error
What is human error
Simply a mistake. Not apart of experimental error and are easily avoidable. Eg, wrong calculations, spilling something
What is a fair test
When an experiment involves an experimental group and an appropriate control group to ensure only one variable is allowed to differ
What is a random error
Unpredictable errors that occur due to the fact that no measurement can be made with absolute precision. Eg stopping a stopwatch exactly when someone finishes a race
What is a systematic error
Occur because of the way in which an sperimentale is designed. A measurement will alway be too high or too low.
What are ethics
A set off moral principles or values
What is ethical behaviour
Behaviour that conforms to moral principles or values
What are the five principles an investigation must satisfy in order to be ethically sound
Voluntary Participation (not be pressured into taking part)
Informed consent (fully informed of objectives, procedures, risks. consent given in writing after info)
risk of harm (possibility of harm minimised
confidentiality (identity will not be revealed, except to those directly involved in study)
anonymity (Participants remain anonymous, even to the researchers)
What is a placebo
An inactive substance that looks like the real medication. Used in medical experiments
What is the placebo effect
A change or improvement in patients who are given a placebo
What is a blind experiment
Where the subjects do not know whether they are receiving the placebo or actual treatment
