Scientific Reasoning Flashcards
What are two reasons scientific investigations are performed?
Scientific investigations are used to establish sound procedures.
Scientific investigations are conducted to identify potential problems and to create solutions to those problems before they actually occur.
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is an explanation formulated to answer the questions being investigated.
What is at the essence of a hypothesis?
A hypothesis has at its essence a statement that can be tested.
List the three steps involved in forming a hypothesis.
Identify the problem. Ask questions. Formulate a hypothesis.
What does testing a hypothesis involve?
Systematically identifying the variables involved, followed by creating a plan of action that involves observation and experimentation.
When does it become necessary to reformulate a hypothesis?
If no reasonable test can be designed.
In step one of forming a hypothesis, identifying the problem, what occurs?
Observation and determination of the problem to be investigated.
In step two of formulating a hypothesis, ask questions, what occurs?
Asking questions and attempting to formulate a solution to the problem.
Instep three of formulating a hypothesis, formulate a hypothesis, what occurs?
Formulating explanations to answer the questions. This involves making predictions that followed from the initial statement of the problem.
What do strict scientific arguments rely on?
The rules of logic that govern the scientific method.
What is the proper order in which to formally present the information is a scientific argument?
Problem identification, question asking, hypothesis development, data collection and experimentation, analysis, conclusion
What are the four steps for data collection for a scientific argument?
Observation, measurement, samples, and organization
What does experimentation involved?
Experimentation involves comparing a control group and an experimental group.
What is the defense of a scientific argument largely based on?
The strength of the data and its analysis.
What do proper scientific investigations involve?
Critical thinking
