Language of Science

Question 1

Fact

Answer 1

confirmed observation, can change

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

well-tested and sustained explanation, stable (unlikely to change) but can change, how and why it happens, explanations for the “rules” or well sustained explanation of some aspect of the natural world

Question 3

Law

Answer 3

a descriptive generalization about nature, can be used to make predictions, describe but do not explain, stable but can change, repeated patterns, what happens (with regularity)

Question 4

Proof

Answer 4

no meaning because all science is tentative (durable), nothing in science can be proven

Question 5

Hypothesis

Answer 5

statement that is capable of being falsified (capable of being shown to be wrong or incorrect), not a question, do not include time element

Question 6

Scientific method

Answer 6

there is no such thing, there are multiple, different ways of generating evidence based understanding

Question 7

Model

Answer 7

a tool (physical, conceptual or mathematical) that is used to advance scientific understanding of a phenomenon by the user of the tool

Question 8

Argument (argumentation)

Answer 8

the use of claims, evidence and reasoning (CER) to convince others

Question 9

Patterns

Answer 9

observable features of the natural world that occur repeatedly, described as the what but not the why, what observations lead to, repeated observation

Question 10

Processes

Answer 10

include the causes of a pattern, not observable, why, what mechanisms or processes are causing the pattern

Question 11

Explanations

Answer 11

casual accounts of why something happens, not descriptions of the what, might become a theory after lots of testing and whether it holds up and continues to be supported

Question 12

Observations and Inferences

Answer 12

used to build models

Question 13

Why model is used

Answer 13

put knowledge together, advance understanding, build an explanation, suggest hypotheses to test

Question 14

Observation

Answer 14

observed through the 5 senses, what we experience

Question 15

Inferences

Answer 15

possible guesses

Question 16

Predictions

Answer 16

will always have a time element (when, will, if, then)

Question 17

Physical Model

Answer 17

something tangible we can touch and manipulate in the real world

Question 18

Physical organismal models

Answer 18

laboratory animals or plants used to advance understanding

Question 19

Virtual model

Answer 19

conceptual and mathematical models

Question 20

Conceptual model

Answer 20

drawings or diagrams used to advance understanding, can spark questions, uncover gaps and point out new relationships

Question 21

Diagram

Answer 21

copying something and not gaining new ideas

Question 22

Mathematical model

Answer 22

quantitative indicators of phenomena using numerical symbols, equations

Question 23

Association study

Answer 23

tests for relationships between variables, variables not manipulated, results shown through correlation diagrams
ex: is there relationship between amount of exercise and number years lived?

Question 24

Comparison study

Answer 24

tests for differences in one or more variables between 2 or more condition groups, variables not manipulated
ex: are the genomes of domestic cats and wild lions the same?

Question 25

Causation (true) experiment

Answer 25

tests for a causal relationship by randomizing units to at least 2 conditions (treatment and control), variables are manipulated, does not explain how or why (need models), usually unethical
ex: does taking a particular drug cause people to live longer?

Question 26

Natural experiment

Answer 26

test occurs in the real world, variables manipulated, best are ones that repeat themselves, realistic but no control=difficult to be sure event was cause of changes
ex: do hurricanes help to enhance or limit biodiversity in marshy environments?

Question 27

Bounded nature of science

Answer 27

science has limits to the natural world, describes and explains natural phenomena, engages with questions of what is and not with what should be, do not answer questions about meaning, morals and ethics

Question 28

Backward-looking explanations

Answer 28

going back in time, where did it originate, what events led to it

Question 29

Downward-looking explanation

Answer 29

how does it work, molecular functions, deeper into structure (alleles, transcriptions, proteins, enzymes, chemical reactions)

Question 30

Upward-looking explanation

Answer 30

how does it fit into the life and survival of organism, the whole individual (health, survival)