Process of science Flashcards
What is a test group?
The group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested.
What is a controlled group?
A group separated from the rest of the experiment, where the independent variable is being tested cannot influence the results.
What is an independent (experimental) variable?
a variable that is changed
What is a dependent variable?
The variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment
What is a controlled variable?
All the factors that are in an experiment
What is the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific experiment?
a hypothesis is constructed before any applicable research has been done. A theory, on the other hand, is supported by evidence
Explain the difference between the scientific term “theory” and the everyday use of the term theory .
An everyday theory is a guess and a scientific theory has been repeatedly tested.
What are the defining characteristics of a controlled experiment ?
All extraneous variables are held constant so that they can’t influence the results
What are the defining characteristics of an observational study?
Studying individuals in a sample but does not attempt to manipulate the variables interest.
What are some advantages of a controlled experiment?
Allows researchers to determine cause and effect between variable
What are some advantages of an observational study?
No moral dilemma, records behavior not participants interpretation
Define causation as it applies to a scientific study
One variable causes another to change which means one variable is dependent on another.
Can an observational study give us information about causation?
No,
