The Scientific Method Flashcards
What is biology?
Biology is the study of living things
What is the scientific method?
The scientific method is the process of investigation in which problems are identified and their suggested explanations are tested by carrying out experiments.
What is a hypothesis ?
A hypothesis is an educated guess based on an observation
What are the seven steps of the scientific method?
- Making observations
- Forming a hypothesis
- Carrying out experiments
- Collecting and interpretation of data
- Conclusion
- Relating the conclusion to existing knowledge
- Reporting and publishing the results (online scientific journal)
What is a theory?
A theory is an explanation based on repeated hypotheses and experimentation
What is a principle/law?
A principle/ law arises from a theory when it is seen always to be true under all conditions, over a long period of time.
What are experiments based on?
- Safe procedures
- Establishing a control (comparison)
- Fair procedures: large sample size, random selection, can be replicated and double blind testing
What is double blind testing?
When both the investigator and the participant are unaware of the nature of the treatment the participant is receiving.
How is the value of the scientific method limited?
- Interpretation of results (thalidomide)
- Changes in nature (superbugs like MRSA)
- Accidental discoveries (penicillin)
What is ethics?
Ethics refers to whether issues are right or wrong
