Scientific Method Flashcards
What is the scientific method?
Scientific method is the logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas.
What are the steps of the scientific method?
- Observation
- Question
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
- Collection of data
- Conclusion
- Publish findings in a scientific journal
Where do experiments get published once reaching conclusion?
The Scientific Journal
What is a hypothesis?
An educated guess based on observations.
What are the limitations of the scientific method?
- Is limited by the extend of our basic knowledge
- It is limited by our ability to interpret the results
- Changes in the natural world
- Accidental discoveries
- The basis of investigation
What is an observation?
An observation is the process of gathering information about an event.
What is an experiment?
A set of controlled observations that test the hypothesis.
What is data?
Data is a recorded observation of an event.
What is a conclusion?
A conclusion is a summary of the results of an experiment.
What is biology?
Biology is the study of the living things.
What are the three areas of study incorporated in biology?
- Botany
- Zoology
- Microbiology
What is a theory?
A theory is a hypothesis that has been supported by many experiments.
What is a principle / law?
A principle / law arises from a theory that has been showed to be valid when fully tested over a long period of time.
What is a variable?
A variable is any factor in an experiment that can be changed or tested.
What is a control?
A control is used to provide a comparison against experiment when being judged.
What is science?
It is the study of physical, material and living things.
What is a replicate?
A replicate is when an experiment is completed again.
What does ethics refer to in the context of science?
Ethics in science refers to whether issues are right or wrong.
Good Experiments are carried out with…
- Careful planning and design
- Safe procedures
- An established control
Fair experiments include…
- Large sample size
- Random selection
- Reporting experiments publicly so that they can be replicated
- Double blind testing
What are the principles of experimentation?
- Plan and design the experiment
- Be aware of safety procedures
- Select organisms at random
- Use a large enough sample size
- Use a control group
- Use double-blind testing
- Change one factor at a time
- Measure changes
- Analyse the results
- State the possible sources of error
- Repeat the experiment
What is an experiment?
An experiment is a controlled test.
What is independent variable?
The variable that is changed in the experiment
What is dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the effect from the independent variable.
