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Biology 120 Midterm > Scientific Method > Flashcards

Scientific Method Flashcards

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1
Q

Observation

A
  • The act of viewing the world around us
  • Allow us to ask focused questions about nature
  • The most important component of the scientific method
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2
Q

Hypothesis

A
  • Tentative explanations of observed phenomenon based on research or knowledge
  • A statement of cause and effect
  • There can be more than one hypothesis
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3
Q

Predictions

A
  • Your prediction lets you get specific; how will you demonstrate that your hypothesis is true?
  • Predictions can be tested experimentally
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4
Q

Experimental Design

A
  • The choice of experiment in a study
  • How an experiment is conducted
  • Must consider variables being assessed, type of data being recorded, and the level of replication
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5
Q

Theory

A
  • General explanations of natural phenomena supported by many experiments and observations
  • Theories are only as good as the amount of evidence that support them
  • Better evidence = better theory
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6
Q

Scientific Rigor

A
  • Applying the scientific method in such a way that you try to minimize your mistakes and maximize the accuracy of your study
  • The more rigorous a study is, the more accurate the results are
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7
Q

Variable

A
  • The term referring to something you are taking data on
  • They VARY
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8
Q

Response Variable

A
  • Dependent variable
  • Variable in which you are interested in why it changes
  • Goes on y-axis of a graph
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9
Q

Explanatory Variable

A
  • Independent variable
  • Variable in which you are interested in why it changes
  • Goes on y-axis of a graph
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10
Q

Replication

A
  • Each individual observation of the same variable or repeated experiment
  • To try to account for variation
  • The more replication you have, the more accurate your results will be
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11
Q

Data

A
  • Recorded observations on variables through either experimentation or direct observation
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12
Q

Continuous Data

A
  • Quantitative data
  • Data in the form of numbers
  • Potentially continuous from zero to infinity (includes decimals)
  • Anything that can be measured
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13
Q

Discrete Data

A
  • Qualitative data
  • Data which is descriptive or categorical
  • Discrete numbers (no decimals)
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14
Q

Small Sample Size

A
  • Main factor in studies which lead to poor scientific rigor
  • Small group that you assume will represent the larger population
  • The larger the sample group, the more accurate of a representation it is
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15
Q

Experiment Not Properly Addressing The Hypothesis

A
  • Main factor in studies which lead to poor scientific rigor
  • You need to make sure the experiment properly addresses the hypothesis
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16
Q

Confounding factors

A
  • When there are two or more plausible explanations for a single result, those two explanations are called confounding factors
  • Can reduce the impact of confounding factors by selecting sample group to exclude some of the factors
17
Q

Bias

A
  • Occurs when the researcher or subject wants to see the study produce a specific result
18
Q

Unintentional Bias

A
  • When we don’t intend to have a bias in our experiment
19
Q

Measurement Bias

A
  • Occurs when the way you are measuring your data introduces bias to your study by either overestimating or underestimating the true data
20
Q

Selection Bias

A
  • Occurs when the sample you choose to study is not a random representation of the population, but contains an overrepresentation of a specific element
  • To try and reduce selection bias, many studies have an element of randomization used in their sample selection, or in assigning their treatments
21
Q

Confirmation Bias

A
  • We are more likely to accept or look for information which already agrees with our personal beliefs
  • Mainly occurs when we are interpreting the data we have collected in our study
22
Q

Intentional Fraud

A
  • When we intentionally include bias in our experiment and yield incorrect results accordingly
23
Q

Double-Blind Study

A
  • An experiment where a subject is assigned a treatment or protocol to follow, but neither the researcher or the research subject know which subject has received what treatment
  • Often include a placebo treatment
24
Q

Placebo

A
  • A treatment which has no measured effect, and is designed to replace a real treatment
25
Q

Placebo-Effect

A
  • When the brain convinces the body that a treatment is effective (when no treatment has been received)
26
Q

Observational Study

A
  • Researchers observe and gather data on a process which is already underway, they do not directly manipulate or change anything
27
Q

Experimental Study

A
  • Researchers directly intervene in a process
28
Q

Meta-Analysis

A
  • Multiple studies which have been conducted by different researchers are compared
29
Q

Case Report

A
  • A detailed study involving a very small sample group, the least rigorous form of study
30
Q

Cross-sectional Survey

A
  • Recording the information from a random sample population at a single point in time
  • Can examine many different factors at once
  • Prone to selection bias and confounding factors
31
Q

Case-controlled Survey

A
  • Designed to determine if exposure is related to an outcome
  • Two different groups are compared, one with cases and one without cases
  • Many health outcomes cannot be tested experimentally, so observational case-controlled studies are the only way to study these
  • Can identify if two different things occur at the same time, but cannot determine if those things are linked
  • Prone to selection biases
32
Q

Cohort Study

A
  • A survey which tracks the same group of people over an extended period of time
  • Can be forward-looking (prospective)
  • Can be backward-looking (retrospective)
33
Q

Quasi-Experiment

A
  • A type of unplanned or uncontrolled experiment where real world conditions allow us to mimic an experiment
  • No control over experimental conditions or whether the experiment occurs at all
34
Q

Randomized controlled trial

A
  • An experiment which is designed and implemented by the researcher, where the researcher controls all aspects of the study
  • Can control for many confounding factors
  • Can investigate a direct cause and effect relationship
  • Not always ethical
35
Q

Animal Model

A
  • An experiment where we use an animal as a replacement for a human
36
Q

Primary Research

A
  • Research that consists of experimental work done directly by the authors of the study
37
Q

Secondary Research

A
  • Some hypotheses can only be addressed by comparing multiple studies (primary research) conducted by different research groups
  • Also called meta-analysis or review
38
Q

Peer Review

A
  • Before a scientific manuscript of a study is published, it must pass close inspection by a panel of anonymous experts in the field
39
Q

Predatory Publishing/Journals

A
  • Some journals will publish any study without peer review as long as the author pays them

Biology 120 Midterm (6 decks)

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