How do ecologists do "science" Ch1- EXAM 1

Question 1

how do people search for truth?

Answer 1

-trial & error
-intuition
-divine revelation
-in “science” we do smth else

Question 2

confounding variable

Answer 2

affects the dependent variable

example:
For example, the use of placebos, or random assignment to groups. So you really can’t say for sure whether lack of exercise leads to weight gain. One confounding variable is how much people eat. It’s also possible that men eat more than women; this could also make sex a confounding variable.

Question 3

steps of the scientific method

Answer 3

can be 4-5 steps
1. observation
2. hypotheses
3. experiment
4. conclusion

Question 4

1. observation

Answer 4

observe and make notes

Question 5

2. hypotheses

Answer 5

-working hypothesis-> conceptual model \
-experimental hypothesis-> specific testable prediction

Question 6

3. experiment

Answer 6

a. variables (independent, dependent- respond, confounding- can be eliminated/ controlled)
b. sampling- replication
c. types
-observational experiment: discover “association”
“link”
-controlled manipulative experiment
*randomly assign treatments-> conclude causality

Question 7

4. conclusion

Answer 7

accept/ reject the experiment hypothesis
-if false: model is false
-if true: model is supported
**Theory: rigorously tested model

Question 8

Summary & cautions

Answer 8

1. what can be proved true?
   -experimental hypothesis? Yes
   -model ? No-only supports
   -observations. ? Yes
2. replication vs pseudoreplication (dependent on the
   first)
3. correlation vs. causation (line regression- best fit: r
   value of 1/-1)
4. extrapolation
   -interpolation (w/in)-reasonable