Chapter 1 - Human Biological Science Flashcards
What is Human Biological sciences?
Housman biological Science is the scientific study of humans both as individuals as as populations and the study of the interaction between humans and their environment.
What are the two aspects to science?
- process of inquiry - a way of finding out about human beings ans their living and non-living surroundings.
- Science is a body of knowledge - knowledge gained by systematic observations and testing ideas
How do scientists investigate? PLOCE
Scientific investigation begins with a problem - a question that needs to be answered. The scientists define the problem and then tries to find a solution.
Literature Review ; search for a solution to a problem first in loves the review of books, scientific journals and internet to see if solution is found or if information has been collected to others. Do not duplicate
Observation; some problems can be solved by observation. Observation is using senses or instruments that enhance senses such as microscope or stethoscope to find answer.
Classification is placing things in groups based on the similarity of their characteristics, is a basic part of science.
Experimentation
- conduction of experiments
- propose hypothesis; a hypothesis is a possible explanation or solution to a problem
- an experiment must be designed so that the results clearly support or disproves the hypothesis being tested.
- only variable is tested at a time and a control or comparison, experiment is done in which the only difference in the variable being tested.
- every other variable to controlled
What is a variable?
A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. An experiment usually has three kinds of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled.
What is objectivity
Objectivity is the ability to not allow personal thoughts, feelings and opinions influence recording or interpretation of observation.
- no preconceived ideas about outcome
- no conduction of scientific investigation to achieve a particular result
How to achieve objectivity
- be aware of personal bias and make sure it does not affect the conduction of the investigation
- Measurements are free of bias because it is a definite, precise result and there is no room for interpretation and easy to compare
- have measurement with a scale or observable results should have charts
How is an experiment valid?
An experiment is valid if it is testing what it is suppose to test
An experiment is invalid if there are uncontrolled variables; factors that are not kept the same
How to increase validity
Reliability is the extent to which an experiment gives the same result each it is performed
How to increase reliability
Repetition + replication = reliability
Repetition is the repeating of the experiment many times .
- it can be performed on a larger scale and number of subjects at the same time
- it ensures that when the results are averaged, the effect of many factors that may have influenced will be minimised
- ensues results are consistent
Replication is the action of copying or reproducing something. Other scientists can then repeat the investigation to see whether they get the same results
- verification process is an important means of making sure that there have been no errors in the design of the investigation or collection of data and no bias in the interpretation of results
What is data
Data are the observations and measurements that are collected during a scientific investigation
Numerical Much easier to record, analyse and compare than worded data
What is the difference between table and graph
A table is an organised and concise of presenting data in a meaningful form
- numerical data
A graph makes it easier to see trends in the data and allow predictions
What is an average
A description of a set of numbers almost always includes a measure of its centre
- average is calculated using mean
What is an outlier
Outlines are measurements where the values are well beyond the range of the rest
- very low or very high
- means can be affected by outlier
- May be the result of mistakes in measurement, failure of equipment or other errors.
- they may be excluded when the mean is calculated
Ratios vs Rates
A ratio is a numerical statement of how one variable relates to another - comparison of two numbers
A rate is a special kind of ratio that shows how long it takes to do something
Percentages
Percent is out of 100
Expresses how large one variable is in relation to another
What is a frequency
A frequency is a number of times an event occurs
A table of data collected would be called a Frequency distribution or frequency table.
- summaries the data by showing how often the varubek in question occurs.
- can be presented graphically as histograms
How do scientists report their findings?
Usually publish REPORTS of their investigations, often in a scientific journal (nature, scientific American, medical journal of Australia)
Reports are impersonal and written in past tense and follow a standard format
CONFERENCES - making known of findings to others in same field
- delivering the paper; giving a talk to colleagues,
- papers presented at conferences are usually published in a book known as PROCEEDINGS of the conference
What is peer review
Papers prepared for publication Or presentation at conference are usually subject to peer review
- sent to several experts
- not confined to articles or conferences presentation. It used in all stages of investigation process and is an important means of avoiding error.
What is the format of Scientific report
- Title
- Introduction - staying nature of problem and hypothesis
- Materials and Equipment - list of apparatus
- Procedure - method
- Results - data in table and graph
- Discussion - comments results and how they relates to hypothesis
- Conclusion - support or disprove hypothesis
- Further research - suggest areas of improvement or investigation further
- References - books, internet and articles
- Acknowledgements - person
