Chapter One Flashcards
Investigating Human Biology
How do scientists investigate
- Literature Review
- Observation
- Classification
- Experimentation
What is a hypothesis
A statement of the expected relationship between the independent and dependent variable that can be tested
A good hypothesis is
- Short
- A statement (not a question)
- A single idea that can be tested
- Linking the independent and dependent variables
What is quantitative data
Measurement of a numerical value
What is qualitative data
A direct observation
How is data presented
- Tables
- Graphs
Types of graphs
- Line Graph > continuous data (length, time, pH, volume)
- Bar/Column > discrete data
- Histogram > represents frequencies
What is validity
- The validity of the method and therefore the conclusion
- Fairly tests the hypothesis so the only factors affecting results in the independent variable
What is accuracy
How correct or true the measurements are
Reliability
How similar the results for trials of the same test after multiple attempts + comparing measurements
Experimental errors
- Human Error
- Random Error
- Systematic Error
Human error
A mistake. Human errors are not part of experimental errors and should be avoidable with extreme care and checking
Random errors
Unpredictable errors that can occur during an experiment. They occur as no measurement can be taken with absolute precision
- They can be minimised through averaging
Systematic errors
Occur due to the experiment design or problems with equipment- the measurement will always be too high or too low
VIRCA
V- voluntary participation
I- Informed consent
R- Risk of harm
C- Confidentiality
A- Anonymity
Placebo
An inactive substance that looks like the real medication
What is the placebo effect
When patients show improvement even though the substance is inactive
Blind experiment
The testing party is unaware if they are given the placebo or the real medication
Double blind experiment
The experimenters and the testing party are both unaware who had been given the placebo
Independent variable
The variable being tested/changed
Dependent variable
The variable being measured
Controlled variable
The unchanging variables
Conclusion (def)
A judgment or decision reached by reasoning
Generalisation (def)
A general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases
Field of view (def)
The maximum area visible when looking through the microscope eyepiece
Magnification (def)
The action or process of magnifying something
Micrograph (def)
A photo taken by the means of a microscope
Monocular (def)
With for, or in, one eye
Prediction (def)
A thing predicted
Scientific Method (Steps)
1- Problem Recognition
2- Information Collected
3- Hypothesis Made
4- Hypothesis Tested
5- Data Recorded
6- Conclusion Made
TPLUGS
T- Title
P- Plotting data correctly
L- Label axes
U- Units of measurement
G- Graph is appropriate
S- Scale is consistent
What is science
- A process of inquiry
- A body of knowledge
Areas of human biology
- Anatomy
- Anthropology
- Archeology
- Biochemistry
- Cytology
- Demography
- Embryology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Nutrition
- Palaeontology
- Physiology
- Prehistory
- Primatology
- Psychology
- Sociology
What is a literature review
A review of books, scientific journals and the internet to understand what information has already been collected by others
What is an observation
Information gathered using the senses or instruments that enhance the senses
What is classification
Placing things in groups based on the similarity in their characteristics
What is experimentation
Proposing a hypothesis that can be a possible solution or explanation to a problem
Confidentiality
Identities of participants remain unknown to those not directly involved with the study
Anyonymity
The participants remain unknown even to those involved in the research
Voluntary participation
People should not be pressured to take part in the research
Informed consent
Participants should be fully informed of the objectives of the research, the procedures and any possible risks/benefits; consent in writing is required after participant is aware of these factors
Risk of harm
Possibility of harm should be minimised and the relationship between risk and benefit should be closely assessed
