M7 Big Ideas Flashcards
Claim
A statement made about something that is not backed up with evidence.
Random error
An error in measurement caused by factors which vary from one measurement to another.
Systematic error
An error in measurement that is constant with repetition. It can be caused by user error or faulty equipment.
Sample size
The number of data points collected in an investigation.
Health claims on packaging
Are usually written in vague language and try to describe health benefits of the product.
Efficacy of products
The ability of the product to have a positive benefit.
Placebo
A substance that has no therapeutic effect, used as a control in testing new drugs.
Double-blind trial
A clinical trial in which neither the participants nor the researcher knows which treatment is a placebo and which has the active treatment.
Control group
The set of participants given the placebo.
Why is climate change controversial?
Some people and companies have vested interests in continuing to sell fossil fuel-based products. This can involve paying people to do research that questions evidence and creates confusion.
Why are health remedies controversial?
Many health remedies state possible benefits that have not been scientifically tested. On the other hand, some people refuse to use treatments such as vaccinations as they are influenced by online pseudo-science.
How can data be manipulated?
Some researchers may leave out parts of data sets that go against their hypothesis.
Describe the difference between correlation and causation.
Correlation refers to whether sets of data show similar trends. Causation refers to when one change in data leads to the other changing. That is, there is a direct link between the two sets of data.
The Hawthorne effect
The alteration of behaviour by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed.
1991 study on hormone replacement therapy
The study suggested that women taking HRT had a lower risk of heart disease. However, those who were more likely to take HRT were from higher socio-economic backgrounds with healthier lifestyles.
The Mozart Effect
The idea that listening to Mozart improved cognitive function. The initial study was done with a small sample size and further study showed no link.
Scientific Theory
An explanation of a phenomenon. The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection explains how organisms can change over time.
Hypothesis
A possible explanation based on evidence.
Belief
Acceptance of an idea without evidence.
Scientific Law
A description of a phenomenon. Newton’s Second Law describes the relationship between force, mass and acceleration.
Links between smoking and lung cancer
Long-term smoking dramatically increases the chance of lung and related cancers. The data was suppressed by tobacco companies for some time.
Links between climate change and fossil fuels
An increase in fossil fuel emissions has led to a warming of the planet. Some people with vested interests have produced research to cast doubt on the link.
Researching products to sell
In most cases companies trying to sell a product need some proof that it works. Although in some cases such as traditional medicines and products this is less arduous.
Asbestos mining and lung cancer
Asbestos fibres would lodge in the lungs and cause a debilitating condition known as mesothelioma as well as other related conditions such as cancer.
