How do ecologists do "science" Ch1- EXAM 1 Flashcards

1
Q

how do people search for truth?

A

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

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2
Q

confounding variable

A

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.

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3
Q

steps of the scientific method

A

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

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4
Q
  1. observation
A

observe and make notes

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5
Q
  1. hypotheses
A

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

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6
Q
  1. experiment
A

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

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7
Q
  1. conclusion
A

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

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8
Q

Summary & cautions

A
  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
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