Unit 3: Investigative Biology Flashcards

1
Q

The Scientific Cycle

A
  • observation
  • construction of a testable hypothesis
  • experimental design
  • gathering, recording, and analysis of data
  • evaluation of results and conclusions
  • the formation of a revised hypothesis where necessary.
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2
Q

What is a null hypothesis

A

The null hypothesis proposes that there will be no statistically significant effect as a result of the experiment treatment. If there is evidence for an effect, unlikely due to chance, then the null hypothesis is rejected.

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3
Q

Failure to find an effect (a negative result) is a valid finding, as long as…

A

an experiment is well designed

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4
Q

When can scientific ideas become accepted

A

once they have been checked independently.

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5
Q

one-off results are treated…

A

with caution

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6
Q

The importance of publication of methods, data, analysis, and conclusions in scientific reports

A

so that others are able to repeat an experiment.

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7
Q

Common methods of sharing original scientific findings include

A

seminars, talks and posters at conferences, and publishing in academic journals.

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8
Q

What is peer review for scientific publication

A
  • Specialists with expertise in the relevant field
  • assess the scientific quality of a submitted manuscript and
  • make recommendations regarding its suitability for publication.
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9
Q

Why is honesty and integrity important

A

The replication of experiments by others reduces the opportunity for dishonesty or the deliberate misuse of science.

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10
Q

3Rs

A

reduce, replace, refine

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11
Q

What risks must be taken into account

A

The risk to and safety of subject species, individuals, investigators and the environment must be taken into account.

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12
Q

As a result of the risks involved, many areas of scientific research are…

A

highly regulated and licensed by governments.

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13
Q

Why is legislation important

A

limits the potential for misuse of studies and data.

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14
Q

When are results reliable

A

consistent values in repeats and independent replicates.

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15
Q

conditions for validity

A

variables controlled so that any measured effect is likely to be due to the independent variable.

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16
Q

what is accuracy

A

data, or means of data sets, are close to the true value.

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17
Q

What is precision

A

measured values are close to each other.

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18
Q

Pilot studies (4)

A
  • a pilot study is used to help plan procedures, assess validity and check techniques.
  • This allows evaluation and modification of experimental design.
  • The use of a pilot study can ensure an appropriate range of values for the independent variable
  • allows the investigator to establish the number of repeat measurements required to give a representative value for each independent datum point.
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19
Q

What is a multifactoral experiment

A

A multifactorial experiment involves a combination of more than one independent variable or combination of treatments.

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20
Q

Advantage of experiments in a laboratory

A

The control of laboratory conditions allows simple experiments to be conducted more easily than in the field.

21
Q

Disadvantage of experiments in a laboratory

A

its findings may not be applicable to a wider setting.

22
Q

Observational studies are good for detecting correlation, but why are they less useful for determining correlation?

A

Observational studies are good at detecting correlation, but since they do not directly test a hypothesis, they are less useful for determining causation.

23
Q

What is an observational study

A

In observational studies the independent variable is not directly controlled by the investigator, for ethical or logistical reasons

24
Q

What is a confounding variable

A

other variables besides the independent variable may affect the dependent variable.

25
Q

Why must confounding variables be kept constant (or at least monitored)

A

so that their effect on the results can be accounted for in the analysis.

26
Q

Experimental design to help prevent effects of confounding variables

A

randomised bloc design

27
Q

What is a positive control

A

A positive control is a treatment that is included to check that the system can detect a positive result when it occurs.

28
Q

What is placebo effect

A

Placebo effect is a measurable change in the dependent variable as a result of a patient’s expectations, rather than changes in the independent variable.

29
Q

what is in vitro

A

In vitro refers to the technique of performing a given procedure in a controlled environment outside of a living organism.

30
Q

examples of in vitro

A

cells growing in culture medium, proteins in solution, purified organelles.

31
Q

What is in vivo

A

refers to experimentation using a whole, living organism

32
Q

disadvantages of in vivo

A
  • more time consuming
  • expensive
33
Q

Advantages of in vitro

A
  • less expensive
  • less time consuming
34
Q

disadvantages of in vitro

A
  • less precise
    -incomplete representation of being able to see effect in whole organism
35
Q

advantages of in vivo

A
  • more precise
  • accurately represents the entire organism as a whole
36
Q

Where it is impractical to measure every individual, a __________ of the population is selected.

A

representative sample

37
Q

What determines the appropriate sample size

A

The extent of the natural variation within a population.

More variable populations require a larger sample size

38
Q

A representative sample should share the same…

A
  • mean
  • degree of variation
    as the population as a whole
39
Q

What is random sampling

A

members of the population have an equal chance of being selected.

40
Q

What is systematic sampling

A

members of a population are selected at regular intervals.

41
Q

What is stratified sampling

A

the population is divided into categories that are then sampled proportionally.

42
Q

Variation in experimental results may be due to…

A

-the reliability of measurement methods and/or
- inherent variation in the specimens.

43
Q

The reliability of measuring instruments or procedures can be determined by…

A

repeated measurements or readings of an individual datum point.

44
Q

The variation observed indicates the…

A

precision of the measurement instrument or procedure but not necessarily its accuracy.

45
Q

Overall results can only be considered reliable if they can be…

A

achieved consistantly

46
Q

Overall results can only be considered reliable if they can be…

A

the data transformation in which numerical values are replaced by their rank when the data are sorted from lowest to highest.

47
Q

Causation exists if…

A

the changes in the values of the independent variable are known to cause changes to the value of the dependent variable.

48
Q

What is selection bias

A

is the selection of a sample in a non-random way, so that the sample is not representative of the whole population.

Selection bias may have prevented a representative sample being selected.

49
Q

Ethical requirements of human studies

A
  • confidentiality
  • right to withdraw
  • informed consent