Scientific method Flashcards
What is the scientific method?
A standardized format of testing for a question..
- Allows scientists to conduct experiments that are reproducible
- Stars with a question, which is tested with an experiment, and then you make a conclusion
5 steps of Scientific Method
- Observation
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
- Results / Analysis
- Conclusion / discuss
Define Hypothesis
Forming a testable statement based on research from many prior studies
- A prediction or educated guess
- If/then
Define Observation
Researching background material (prior studies) to determine what has not been discovered/determined yet
Define Experiment
Designing methods with specific materials to test whether there is a relationship between two variables
- multi layered
- Need evidence to support it
Results / Analysis
Compiling data into graphs and tables and running statistical tests on them
Conclusion / discuss
The hypothesis is supported or rejected. Future implications are discussed
Two type types of hypothesis
- Null hypothesis
- Alternative hypothesis
- they can be accepted or rejected based on the experiment results
What does a Null hypothesis propose
Proposes that there is NO statistical difference between two groups
What does an Alternate hypothesis propose
Proposes that there IS a statistical difference between two groups
Where is the experiment design recorded in scientific papers?
Within the ‘methods’ section of scientific papers
Why is it important to record/report experimental design?
The methods should be clear enough that another scientist could reproduce the experiment and get the same results
What are variables in experimental design?
- Independent variable
- Dependent variable
- Control variable
Define Independent variable
- The variable that is purposely changed or manipulated
- Considered as X
Define Dependent variable
- The variable that is examined
- Considered as Y
Define Control variables
Conditions that are the same / consistent between all groups that are not directly related to what you’re testing for
How many independent variables are able to be tested?
ONLY ONE
What are confounding variables?
Factors that are not tested in an experiment but could influence or change the results
Test group vs control group
Test group = subjects exposed to the experiment variable of interest
Control group = for comparison that is not exposed to the variable of interest
Define placebo effect
Psychological effect of perceiving an improvement to a condition based on an expectation that you received for it, but in realty did not.
Why are placebo effects important
Makes studies more reliable
If enough experiments come to the same conclusion, than a ____ develops.
Theory
CRAAP - for evaluating scientific sources
Current, Revelent, Accurate, Authority, Purpose
