Scientific Method Flashcards
What’s the scientific method
Refinement of ideas is the norm and scientific knowledge can be thought of as the current best explanation which may then be updated after evaluation of further experimental evidence
What do biologists follow to complete their investigations
Scientific cycle
What are the steps in the scientific cycle!
Hypothesis, experimental design, gathering and recording analysis of data, evaluation of results, conclusion, revise hypothesis, observation
What’s a negative result
When biological investigations fail to find an effect
What type of data leads to further evaluation and experiments
Data or conclusions that are conflicting
What must results be in order to be valid
Reproducible (one of results treated with caution)
What are statistics used for with results
Identify if results are by chance or not
What’s a null hypothesis
A statement which proposes that there will be NO statistically significant effect as a result of the experiment treatment or (A null hypothesis states the independent variable does not affect the dependant variable)
Give an example of a null hypothesis
Light intensity has NO effect on the rate if photosynthesis
When do scientific ideas become accepted
Once they have been checked independently
When is the null hypothesis rejected
If there is evidence for an effect, unlikely due to chance
What is a negative result and is it valid
Failure to find an effect and it is still valid
