Scientific Principles And Process- Scientific Method Flashcards
What is the scientific cycle?
Observation; construction of a testable hypothesis; experimental design; gathering, recording and analysis of data; evaluation of results and conclusions; the formation of a revised hypothesis where necessary
What is the refinement of ideas and scientific knowledge thought of as?
Refinement of ideas is the norm and scientific knowledge can be thought of as the current best explanation which may then be updated after evaluation of further experimental evidence
What does a null hypothesis propose?
It proposes that there will be no statistically significant effect as a result of the experiment or treatment
When might the null hypothesis be rejected?
If there is evidence for an effect that is unlikely due to chance
What is a negative result?
Failure to find an effect
Is a negative result valid?
Yes as long as an experiment is well designed
How can conflicting data or conclusions be resolved?
Through careful evaluation or can be lead to further experimentation
When can scientific ideas be accepted?
They can only become accepted once they have been checked independently
When are results classed as valid?
The effects must be reproducible and one off results are treated with caution
