Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define Human Biological Sciences
Human Biological science is the scientific study of humans, both as individuals and as populations, and the study of the interactions between humans and their environment.
What are the two aspects of science?
- Process of inquiry or investigation - a way of finding out about human beings and their living and non-living surroundings.
- Science is a body of knowledge - knowledge gained by systematic observation and testing of ideas. HObtained by investigation)
What are some important Fields of study that contribute to our understanding of the biology of humans. (16x)
- Anatomy, Anthropology, Archaeology, BioChemistry, Cytology, Demography, Embryology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Nutrition, Palaeontology, Physiology, Prehistory, Primatology, Psychology and Sociology
Define Anatomy
Structure of the body
Define Anthropology
Relationships between biological, cultural, geographic and historical aspects of humans. (More than just human bio)
Define Archaeology
Material evidence if the past such as tools, weapons and art rather the written records
Define Biochemistry
Chemistry of living things
Define Cytology
Cells
Demography
Statistical study of population
Define Embryology
Development from fertilisation to birth
Define Genetics
How characteristics are passed from generations to generations
Define Molecular Biology
Macromolecules of the body cells
Define Nutrition
Food requirements of humans
Define Palaeontology
Fossils
Define Physiology
Functioning of the living things
Define Prehistory
The past, before the time of written records
Define Primatology
Non-Hyman members of the order primates - apes, monkeys, lemurs, lorises
Define Psychology
Human Behaviour
Sociology
Nature of Human Society
How do scientific investigations being?
Scientific investigations begins with a problem - a question that needs to be answered.
The scientist defines a problem an then tries to find a solution to that problem.
The steps in which the scientists investigate
- Literature Review
- Observation
- Classifying
- Experimentation
- Making Sense of the data (ratios, %, center, frequencies)
- Reporting of Findings ( reports, peer review, scientific terminology) .
What to do in Literature review stage in scientific investigation?
Search for the solution to a problem involving a review of books, scientific journals, internet; to see what information has already been collected by others.
Science builds in past discoveries and the scientist does not duplicate work that has already been done by other scientists.
What to do in the observation stage of the scientific investigation?
Some problems can be solved by observation - which is information gathered by the use of senses or instrument which enhance the senses such as microscopes, stethoscope.
- Observations are followed by detailed laboratory examination of the material collected.*
- observations will also usually raise new questions to be answered and problems be solved.
- patient observation produces data that must be carefully analysed, looking for patterns,trends in the data to try draw meaningful conclusions.
List three ways scientists do observations in their specific field. (X3)
Eg Primatologist studying apes and monkeys (close relative to humans) will spend time noting animal behaviour.
Eg Microbiologist observe structure of bacteria and viruses using electron microscopes.
Eg Archelologist excavate ancient human living sites and observe the type and distribution of shelters, tools,weapons,animal bones and charcoal from fires.
Define Observation
The use of senses, sometimes instruments that enhance the senses to gather information.
Define classification
The grouping of organisms based on the similarity of their characteristic; placement of organisms into groups.
Classification is organising by similarities in animal structure.
Eg Mammals- hair, warm blooded, suckles it’s young on milk
Eg. Astronomers ; types of stars due to colour, shape, size
Human Biologists are concerned about the classification of primates.
What happens in the process of experimentation?
- Proposes a hypothesis as a possible explanation or solution to the problem and then designs the experiment to test the hypothesis.
An experiment must be designed to dis/prove the hypothesis being tested - only one variable is to be tested at a time
- a control or a comparison experiment is done in which the only difference is in the one variable begins test.
- all the other factors are to be controlled Eg. Volume, mass, height, person completing the experiment, containers, measurement style.
If a scientist was testing the hypothesis that bacteria are killed by household bleach, what two groups of bacterial cultures would be needed?
Experimental and control cultures.
The experimental cultures would be exposed to household bleach, whereas the control cultures would be exposed to distilled water.
Define Objectivity
Not allowing your thoughts or feelings influence how you record or interpret data/observations.
Define Hypothesis
A possible explanation to account for observations.
Usually an if and then.. explanation or possible solution to a question or problem
Define Variable
Any factor which may change during the experiment, thus having an impact on the experiment
Define Control
A procedure carried out to give a comparison in the experiment
Defined Controlled variables
Variables which are controlled (made the same) in the experiment to have equality/ fairness throughout.
Why is it important to have objectivity
Scientist are ordinary people who are influenced by culture so they need to be aware of the possibility of personal bias and sure that it does not affect their conduct of an investigation or interpretation of results .
They should not have preconceived ideas about the outcome of an investigation and should not plan and conduct an investigation to achieve a particular result.
How to ensure objectivity in observations?
Make observations by measurement
Measurements keep objectivity as they are definitive/precise, easy to compare and not open to interpretation
- Whether that be time, weight, number, length, temperature, ect
If there are no units to measure an objective scale or chart would make it easier to report results and keep objectivity.
-Eg Colour Chart, Odour Charts
Define Validity
The extent to which an experiment tests what it is supposed to test.
Define uncontrolled variables
Factors in an experiment that are not kept the same between control and experimental setups
How can an experiment be valid or invalid
An experiment is valid if it is testing what is supposed to be tested and ensuring that all variables except the IV is the same.
An experiment is invalid if it’s has uncontrolled variables which affects the experiment
Define reliability
The extent to which an experiment gives the same results each time it is performed.
It is also important that the instruments used are reliable as well Eg weight scales that give you three different weights when you went on it three times six not reliable.
Define Repetition
Performing the same experiment multiple times
This can be done by performing the experiment in large samples, or multiple times either by the same or different scientist
Repetition ensures that the when the results are averaged out the effect of any chance factors will be minimised + ensures consistent results.
Define Verification
Repeating and checking an investigation to ensure there is no error or bias in the investigation, collection of data or interpretation of results.
Usually done by another scientist in the same working area/field
Define Data
Data are the observations and measurements that are collected during a scientific investigation
Define Table
A table is a concise and organised way of presenting the collected data.
It has a title,Independent Variable (Usually the Top) and Dependent Variable (usually the side).
Define Graphs
A visual way of presenting data so it easy to interpret and identify trends that may occur
Define Average
A way to measure the Center result of all the collected data (results).
It is calculated by the mean ; the total sum of all measurements in the group divided by the number of measurement
It is a simple and common way to handle numerical data.
Arithmetic Mean
Another word for mean
Define outliers
They are very high or low values that would make a the mean higher or lower than it would be otherwise.
They may be the result of mistakes in measurement, failure of equipment or other errors.
If the result came from a mistake made then they usually can be left out when calculating the mean
Define Ratios
A ratio is a numerical statement of how one variable relates to another (a comparison of two numbers; the two numbers are seperated by a colon (:) - Big number comes first )
Define Rate
A rate is a special kind of ratio that shows how long it takes to do something.
4km/hr
Define Percentage
Percent means per hundred.
Percentages are used to express how large one variable is in relation to another
How to calculate percentage change?
Old value - new value
—————————- x100
Old Value
Calculating a percentage increase or percentage decrease is often a good way of helping people to understand changes in one variable
Define Frequency
Frequency is the number of times an event occurs.
Define frequency distribution
Frequency distribution Or a frequency table is a tab,e that summaries the data by showing how often the variable un question occurs. They can also be presented as a histogram graphically.
Why collect data
Data collected ensures objectivity
Numerical data is also much easier to analyse than data in the form of words or description.
Once data is collected they must present as a meaningful form; table or graph
How do scientists report their findings?
Report
Peer Review
Conference
Reports
Scientist usually publish reports of their investigations often in a scientific journal.
Eg, Nature Scientific American, Medical Journal Of Australia
Reports have a particular style - presentation is impersonal, past tense and follow a standard format
Conferences
Conferences are another way in which scientists make their findings known to others working in the same field.
Researchers can give a talk to their colleagues known as delivering a paper, outlining their investigation the data, collected and their conclusions. At large conferences they may be asked to display a poster that summarises their research.
Papers at the conference are usually published in a book known as the proceedings of the conference.
List the typical format of a scientific report in order (x10)
- Title; and name of author/s
- Introduction; stating the nature of the problem and hypothesis stated.
- Materials and Equipment; list of apparatus used
- Procedure; describing how the investigation was carried out
- Results; often includes tables, graphs, diagrams or photographs
- Discussion; includes comments about the results and how they relate to the hypothesis
- Conclusion; States whether they hypothesis is supported or disproved and summarises what can be concluded.
- Further Research; suggests areas for further investigation
- References; books, articles, websites or other resources that have been referred to in the report
- Acknowledgements; persons who have helped with the investigation or organisations that have provided funds for the research
Peer Review
Papers prepared for publication or presentation at the conference are usually subject to peer review.
Articles submitted to a journal or conferences are sent to several experts .
- peer review was not just confined to articles or conference presentations. It is used at all stages in the investigation and us an important means of avoiding bias and error.
What does R+R=R mean?
Repetition + Replication = Reliability
