Scientific method Flashcards
List three branches of Biology
- Botany
- Biochemistry
- Zoology
What is the scientific method?
The scientiffic method is the process of investigation in which problems are identified and their suggested explanations are tested by carrying out experiments
What are the main steps of the scientiffic method?
- Observation
- Hypothesis
- Experimentation
- Collection and interpretation of data
- Conclusion
- Accept/reject/change hypotehesis
What is a “hypothesis”?
An educated guess based on observations.
What is data?
Information gathered during an experiment
What is a theory?
An explanation based on repeated hypothesis and experimentation
What is a principle/law
A theory which has been shown to be valid when fully tested over a long period of time
What is a replicate?
A repeat of an experiment
What are the principals of experimentation?
- Careful planning
- Safety
- Control experiment
- Fair sample
What is a variable?
A factor that may change in an experiment
What is a control?
A standard againsit which the actual experiment can be judged
Why must a experiemtns sample be relatively large?
To reduce the risk of the results being due to indivdual differences rather than caused by the factor investigated
What are the limirts of the scientiffic method?
- Lack of basic knowledge
- Poor design of an experiment
- Difficultly interpreting results
- Changes in nature
- Accidental discoveries
What is ethics?
Ethics refers to whether issues are right or wrong
