Understanding Experimental Design Flashcards
What are the steps of the scientific method?
- observation
- question
- hypothesis
- experimental design
- analysis of data
- interpretation of data
- repeat, expand upon, or modify
What are the types of hypothesis?
null and alternate
What is a null hypothesis?
no effect of the independent variable upon the dependent variable
What is an alternate hypothesis?
there is an effect of the independent variable upon the dependent variable
When are patterns in nature likely to be real?
if there is systematic (repeatable) variation and scope of inference is high
What are the types of variables?
- independent
- potentially confounding
- dependent
What is the independent variable?
predicted to affect dependent variable
What are the two groups of the independent variable?
- experimental group
- control group
What are potentially confounding variables?
might affect dependent variable, so are controlled or accounted for
What are dependent variables?
predicted to be affected by independent variable
What should replication be done to?
experimental units and experimental groups
Can you have more than one dependent and independent variable in the same experiment?
yes
What are experimental units?
the smallest individual or object within the study
How should experimental units be assigned to experimental groups?
randomly
