Midterm Topics: Scientific Method

Question 1

What constitutes a good hypothesis?

Answer 1

• Must be possible to test and falsify it
• Hypothesis start with the best available knowledge (What is known) and propose an explanation for what is not yet known

Question 2

What are control groups and controlled variables?

Answer 2

• Control Variable: Any factor you control during an experiment
• Control Group: Subset of subjects that don’t receive the experimental treatment

Question 3

What are biostatistics, p-values, statistical significance?

Answer 3

• Biostatistics: math field that looks at data sets and preforms tests on them so we can have conclusions on our data
• P-value: number that ranges from 0-1; closer to 1= more likely theres not a significant difference in data
• Statistical Significance: P-value less then 0.05; shows the math was done and there was significance *=<_ 0.05

Question 4

What are error bars?

Answer 4

Visible way to measure/show the variance of the data set

Question 5

How does sample size impact scientific conclusions?

Answer 5

Sample size impacts conclusions because data can become skewed or if not a good sample size is chosen it can effect the varience and make conclusions not be wide enough

Question 6

What is the difference between qualitative and quantative data?

Answer 6

• Qualitative: expresses data in terms of characteristics vs. numbers
• Quantative: participants/interpretation can skew the data

Question 7

What are primary sources? Secondary Sources?

Answer 7

• Primary: Sources that came right from the experimenters, first hand data
• Secondary: Sources that summarize or interpret the experiment