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
