Glossary Terms

Question 1

Alpha

Answer 1

The probability of mistakenly concluding that the results of different treatments are different when they are in fact the same

Question 2

Alternative Hypothesis

Answer 2

The mean does not equal the value stipulated by the null hypothesis

Hypothesis reflects possibility that deviations of the experimental results from the null hypothesis might be due to some extra process happening, not due to chance.

Question 3

Assumption

Answer 3

Statement supported by prior incomplete evidence, on which predictions are made. Ex: Experiment in fear of mice, mice crouch time is measured. Experiment must assume that crouch time is indicative of fear.

Question 4

Bias

Answer 4

Intentional or unintentional attitude or action in favour of or against something. Ex: always placing shell on left size, crabs may choose because of location.

Question 5

Biological Variation

Answer 5

Natural differences that exist among individuals in a population of organisms.

Question 6

Chi-Squared

Answer 6

Statistical test that measures the difference between observed distribution of frequency, and what would be expected (in distribution of frequency)

Question 7

95% confidence Interval of the Mean

Answer 7

Range of values calculated from sample data that is likely to contain the true population mean.

Question 8

Control

Answer 8

Treatment or procedure that isolates the factor being tested and the response outcome. Allows comparison to standard, natural state. Ex: Placebos

Question 9

Design Flaw

Answer 9

Aspect of the way an experiment is designed that makes it logically impossible to obtain an answer to the question. Measuring reproductive rates with different temperatures with lights on and off.

Question 10

Design Limitation

Answer 10

An aspect of the way a scientific investigation is done that prevents us from drawing inferences about some hypotheses.

Question 11

Discovery Based

Answer 11

Research approach that is exploratory in nature and doesn’t test a specific hypothesis.

Question 12

Experimental Uncertainty

Answer 12

Uncertainty that can arise due to unintentional differences in how the equipment was used, as well as differences between pieces of equipment.

Question 13

Extraneous Variabes

Answer 13

Variables that may have an effect on response measured. Light should be kept constant when studying temp changes

Question 14

Hypothesis

Answer 14

Explanation for the prediction or observed pattern.

Question 15

Hypothesis Testing

Answer 15

Research approach typically used to investigate questions that address mechanisms behind a phenomenon or observation, or on cause - effect relationships. Often aims to test a scientific hypothesis.

Question 16

Inference

Answer 16

Statement that interprets observations/data, previous hypotheses or previous conclusions. Making an inference requires the application of logical, rigorous reasoning.

Question 17

Mean

Answer 17

Average (someone who is not nice to someone else)

Question 18

Null Hypothesis

Answer 18

Some particular description of the population equals a certain value.

Question 19

P-value

Answer 19

Probaboloity of finding a result as different from the expectations of the null hypothesis if the null hypothesis was in fact true. (higher p-value = higher deviations)

Question 20

Prediction

Answer 20

If method A is applied to the system, B will be observed.

Question 21

Qualitative Data

Answer 21

Descriptive in nature and do not include numerical information

Question 22

Quantitative Data

Answer 22

Numerical

Question 23

Range of Tolerance

Answer 23

Range of environmental factor in which individual can survive, grow and reproduce.

Question 24

Raw Data

Answer 24

First hand data points

Question 25

Replicate

Answer 25

Independent runs of the same experimental procedure.

Question 26

Replication

Answer 26

Conducting multiple identical replicates so phenomenon can be estimated.

Question 27

Reproducibility

Answer 27

Tendency for a set of findings to be obtained again in a different experiment.

Question 28

Sample

Answer 28

Subset of individuals from a population

Question 29

Sample Size

Answer 29

Independant measurement events. If you measure 20 fish, you have 20 samples.

Question 30

Scientific Hypothesis

Answer 30

Testable, falsifiable statement.

Question 31

Significant

Answer 31

P value falls below certain pre determined value

Question 32

Standard Deviation

Answer 32

Measure of dispersion of data

Question 33

Statistica Tests

Answer 33

Procedure to determine wether to reject the null hypothesis.

Question 34

Treatment

Answer 34

Something the researcher administers to organsims

Question 35

Trial

Answer 35

experimental measurements in one lab period

Question 36

Two samplet t-test

Answer 36

statistical test that tests for a difference between two grops

Question 37

Well being

Answer 37

survival, health, growth, and reproduction of organism.