Scientific Principles and Processes

Question 1

What are the 4 parts of the scientific cycle?

Answer 1

1. Hypothesising, questioning and debating a particular idea or area of science
2. Investigating through observing, researching or experimenting;
3. Analysis of data and results from experiments through comparing, interpreting or applying statistics; look for patterns or trends
4. Evaluation of results and conclusions are formed.

Question 2

What is a sound hypothesis?

Answer 2

A sound hypothesis:

• Must be based on established data
• Can be tested
• Can be proven false

Question 3

Following analysis and evaluations, what can be formed?

Answer 3

a new or refined hypothesis and so the cycle continues.

Question 4

When may a negative result be considered a valid finding?

Answer 4

if the experiment is well designed

Question 5

What is a null hypothesis?

Answer 5

a hypothesis which the researcher tries to disprove, reject or nullify.

Question 6

What does an experiment conclusion always refer to?

Answer 6

the null, rejecting or accepting the null hypothesis rather than the alternative hypothesis

Question 7

Why is the null hypothesis an important starting point in the scientific cycle?

Answer 7

it proposes that there is no link between the independent and dependent variable.

Question 8

When do scientific ideas become accepted?

Answer 8

once they have been verified independently.

Question 9

What are one-off results treated with? And what does this mean?

Answer 9

caution, which is why it is essential to do complete independent repeats of an experiment.

Question 10

How should you go about repeating an experiment?

Answer 10

Repetition should be done at a different time with a completely new set of ingredients, organisms and chemicals

Question 11

Where may scientists from a range of fields share their findings?

Answer 11

conferences and seminars via lectures, talks and poster displays. Also, in scientific journals

Question 12

When may scientific findings be published in scientific journals?

Answer 12

if they have been verified and subjected to peer review

Question 13

Give 4 examples of scientific journals

Answer 13

• Nature
• The Lancet
• Nature Reviews Medicine
• Immunity.

Question 14

What is crucial in the world of scientific research?

Answer 14

Peer review and critical evaluation of research

Question 15

How does peer review work?

Answer 15

specialists with an expertise in the relevant field assess the scientific quality of a submitted manuscript prior to publication, assessing the reliability of the research

Question 16

What may the peer reviewers’ advise? Give 5 examples

Answer 16

These specialists may advise the writer to make changes to enhance the scientific rigour of the piece before it can be published.

e. g.
- alterations to experimental design, e.g. better control of confounding variables;
- increased number of replicates;
- additional experiments;
- different /more suitable data analysis;
- inclusion of missing key background information.

Question 17

Where the use of animals is unavoidable, what are the 3Rs that are recommended?

Answer 17

1. Replacement
2. Reduction
3. Refinement

Question 18

What is meant by replacement?

Answer 18

can the animal be replaced with another? Who decides which animals are acceptable for use and which are not though?

Question 19

What is meant by reduction?

Answer 19

can fewer animals be used?

Question 20

What is meant by refinement?

Answer 20

can the procedure be refined to reduce human error?

Question 21

What may scientists use instead of animals?

Answer 21

models or other alternatives

Question 22

What is important to remember about any experiments involving animals?

Answer 22

They are strictly controlled, requiring licensed premises and licenses to carry out each piece of research.

Question 23

If researchers intend to use animals what must they provide?

Answer 23

full justification of which animals are to be used and why. They must also state the expected positive impact on humans and society that using these animals will bring.

Question 24

In any studies involving humans, what should always be sought?

Answer 24

informed consent

Question 25

If the study involves participants under 16, what must also be sought?

Answer 25

a parent or carer must also provide informed consent.

Question 26

During the investigation, what must participants be aware of?

Answer 26

Participants must be aware of the right to withdraw data at any time .

Question 27

What must be maintained before, during and after the investigation?

Answer 27

participant confidentiality

Question 28

Through providing informed consent, what will participants be able to assess?

Answer 28

if their participation may contribute to findings that could impact on society or the environment.

Question 29

What must all scientific investigations be?

Answer 29

justifiable, thus clearly have benefits to society or the environment, or merely the pursuit of scientific knowledge

Question 30

What are scientific investigations are influenced by?

Answer 30

1. risk assessments that must take account of that safety of humans or animals involved and any impact on the environment;
2. regulation, policy and licensing by governments which aim to limit the potential for the misuse of studies and data;
3. funding which can influence the direction and pace of scientific progress.

Question 31

What are the 5 things the pace and direction of scientific progress is controlled by?

Answer 31

• Legalisation – what is allowable in law
• Regulation – a framework to operate within the law
• Policy – political emphasis on particular areas
• Funding – financial incentives
• Approval – from an independent ethics commitee