science skills Flashcards
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation based on limited evidence, leading to further investigation.
What is peer review?
Peer review is where other scientists check results and scientific explanations to make sure that they have been done to a sensible degree of accuracy, so that they can then be published.
If a hypothesis is approved through peer review, does that then become true? Why/why not?
If a hypothesis is approved through peer review, it means false claims have not been detected or they have been sorted.
Once peer reviewed, it still may not be true, it just doesn’t seem wrong in an obvious way.
What happens if results don’t suit a hypothesis?
If results don’t suit a hypothesis, it can be changed or completely scrapped.
Give another name for an accepted hypothesis.
An accepted hypothesis is called a theory.
What happens if new evidence counteracts an existing theory?
If new evidence counteracts an existing theory, then the hypothesising and testing is likely to start again.
What is a representational model?
A representation model is a simplified description or picture of what’s happening according to a theory. They can be used to make predictions and explain observations.
What is a computational model?
A computational model uses computers to make simulations of complex real life processes, like climate change. They are usually used when there are lots of variables to consider.
What is wrong with scientific discoveries reported by the media?
Scientific discoveries that are reported in the media, like newspapers and television, are not peer reviewed. They are often based on peer reviewed discoveries, but are presented in a way that is oversimplified or inaccurate, leading to misinterpretations.
What issues can arise from scientific discoveries?
issues from scientific discoveries:
- economic - society can’t afford what scientists recommend to do
- social - oppose religion, affect lifestyle
- personal - affect how people live
- environmental - human activity affects environments
What is a hazard?
A hazard is something that could potentially cause harm.
What is a risk?
Risks are as a result of hazards. They are the chance that the hazard will cause harm.
How can you estimate the size of a risk?
You can estimate the size of a risk by basing it on how many times something happens in a big sample over a given period.
However, people often make their own judgments on the size of a risk.
What does it mean if evidence is repeatable?
Repeatable means if the same person does an experiment using the same methods and equipment, they’ll get similar results.
What does it mean if evidence is reproducible?
Reproducible means if someone else does the experiment, or a different method or piece of equipment is used, they’ll get similar results.
What are valid results?
Valid results are both repeatable and reproducible and they answer the original hypothesis. They come from a fair test.
What is the independent variable?
The independent variable is the thing you change. There is only one of this in each experiment.
What is the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the thing that you measure. There is only one of this in each experiment.
What is the control variable?
The control variable is the thing you keep the same. There is many of these in one experiment.