Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

SLE103 Ecology And The Environment > Topic 1: An Introduction To Science And Science Systems > Flashcards

Topic 1: An Introduction To Science And Science Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is a Paradigm shift?

A

The shift that occurs when the majority of scientists accept that an old explanation no longer explains observations very well.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a system?

A

A network of interconnected components and processes with materials and energy passing from one component to another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a blind experiment?

A

An experiment where the participants do not know who is in the control group.
Aims to reduce the placebo effect.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are closed systems?

A

Systems that do not exchange energy or matter with their surroundings.
Very rare/non-existant in nature.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is deductive reasoning?

A

Going from a general rule to deduce something must also be true about a specific situation.
e.g. mammals are warm-blooded. Dogs are mammals, so dogs must be warm-blooded

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a dependent variable? Where is it plotted?

A

The variable that is measured in response to the influence of the independent variable.
Plotted on the Y Axis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are disturbances?

A

Things that knock the system out of balance.
e.g. floods, fires, infectious outbreaks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a double blind experiment?

A

An experiment where the participant AND the researcher don’t know who is in the control group.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a definition of science?

A

Science is a cumulative body of knowledge and the process of acquiring new knowledge.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What assumption does science rely on?

A

The assumption that we can learn about our world through careful observation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the basic principles of science?

A
  1. Empiricism
  2. Uniformitarianism.
  3. Parsimony (Occam’s Razor).
  4. Uncertainty.
  5. Repeatability.
  6. Proof is elusive.
  7. Testable questions.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is empiricism?

A

Learning by observation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is uniformitarianism?

A

Patterns and processes across time and space.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is parsimony?

A

Ockham’s Razor.
The simplest explanation, the one that requires the fewest assumptions, is probably correct.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the logical steps of science?

A
  1. Observe a problem.
  2. Form hypothesis.
  3. Design experiment.
  4. Test the null-hypothesis.
  5. Gather and interpret data.
  6. Peer review.
  7. Publish.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is inductive reasoning?

A

Reasoning from observation of a particular situation to produce a general rule.

17
Q

What is a null hypothesis?

A

The opposite of your hypothesis.
H0

18
Q

When is a theory formed?

A

When the majority of experts have reached a general consensus.
Scientific confidence is reached.

19
Q

When are scientific tests considered significant?

A

When there is less than 5% chance the results are due to random chance.
P<0.05

20
Q

What is pseudo-science?

A

A theory, methodology, or practice that is presented as scientific but is without scientific foundation.

21
Q

What are 9 characteristics of pseudo-science?

A
  1. Rarely updates itself as new ideas are generated.
  2. Often relies on old data.
  3. Uses testimonials/anecdotes.
  4. Uses selective data.
  5. Often from overconfident ‘experts’.
  6. Is difficult to test independently and has not been confirmed through replicated experiments.
  7. Often very subjective and uses words like ‘believes’ and ‘belief’.
  8. Uses scientific jargon.
  9. Invents new physical processes.
22
Q

What are natural experiments?

A

Experiments observing events that have already happened.
E.g. geology.

23
Q

What are manipulated experiments?

A

Experiments that deliberately alter some conditions and leave other conditions the same.
E.g. a controlled study.

24
Q

What is an independent variable?

A

The explanatory variable that determines the dependent variable.
E.g. time, temperature.

25
Q

What is an open system?

A

A system that receives input from its environment and produces outputs that leave the system.

26
Q

What is throughput?

A

The energy and matter that enters into, through and out of a system.

27
Q

What is positive feedback?

A

A self-perpetuating process in a system.

28
Q

What is negative feedback?

A

A process that suppresses change in a system.

29
Q

What is homeostasis?

A

A state of equilibrium.

30
Q

What is resilience?

A

The ability of a system to bounce back from disturbances.

31
Q

What is a state-shift?

A

A shift when a system is so severely disturbed that it is not able to recover to its former state.

32
Q

What are scientific models?

A

Approximations or simulations of a real system.
Used to understand patterns and predict future outcomes.

SLE103 Ecology And The Environment (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions