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AH Biology > Unit 3 - Investigative Biology > Flashcards

Unit 3 - Investigative Biology Flashcards

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1
Q

What is science?

A

Science is the organisation of testable and reproducible knowledge.

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2
Q

What is meant by ‘The current best explanation’?

A

Since current theories could potentially change following processes of evaluation and further experimentation we treat theories as ‘The current best explanation’

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3
Q

What are negative results?

A

Negative results are when a scientist fails to find an effect.

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4
Q

How can conflicting data be resolved?

A

Conflicting data can be resolved with further evaluation or more creative study.

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5
Q

What is a Null Hypothesis?

A

A hypothesis that you aim to disprove to further prove your hypothesis, it states that two variables are unrelated.

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6
Q

What should you do with one-off results?

A

Treat them with caution.

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7
Q

When can new theories be accepted?

A

After independent verification.

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8
Q

What methods exist for sharing scientific findings?

A

Seminars
Conference talks
Publishing in scientific journals

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9
Q

What is a peer review?

A

When specialists in the same field of science carry out a critical review of research. These are important to ensure that findings are suitable to be published.

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10
Q

What is a critical review?

A

An assessment of the quality, reliability and validity of a paper.

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11
Q

What is a review article?

A

When a lot of work has been carried out by a group of scientists in the same field, an author may pull all the ideas and findings together in one article.

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12
Q

Why are scientific findings often misinterpreted in the media?

A

The reporters that publish the findings often don’t have much (if any) knowledge of the subject.

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13
Q

What must be considered when experimenting on human subjects?

A
  • Seeking informed consent
  • They have the right to withdraw data
  • Confidentiality of data
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14
Q

When experimenting on animal subjects what must be considered?

A
  • Reduce the number of animals used
  • Replace the used of animals with something else if possible
  • Refine procedures to that minimal harm is caused to animals
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15
Q

What are the four factors that influence scientific research?

A

Legislation
Regulation
Policy
Funding

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16
Q

What is a pilot study?

A

A study carried out that tests experimental procedures before commencing study. Allows evaluation and modification of experimental procedures.

17
Q

What can assessments be about when performing a pilot study?

A
  • The effectiveness of technique/ allows the experimenter to become proficient.
  • The range of values of the independent variable.
  • Identification and control of confounding variables.
  • The number of repeats/replicates required
  • Suitable timescales for the procedure.
18
Q

What is a discrete variable?

A

Only takes on certain individual values e.g.

  • Number of pages in a book
  • Shoe size
19
Q

What is continuous variable?

A

Can take on any value in a certain range e.g.

  • Length of film
  • Temperature
20
Q

What 3 types of data do discrete and continues variables give rise to?

A

Quantitative
Qualitative
Ranked

21
Q

How are discrete and continues data represented?

A

Discrete - Bar graph

Continuous - Line graph

22
Q

What is simple experimental design?

A

1 variable is changed
Control of lab conditions is easier than in the field.
Usually ‘in Vitra’ (easy to control)

23
Q

What is multi-factorial experimental design?

A

More than 1 variable is changed
Combination of treatments
Usually ‘in Vivo’ (difficult to control)
Lots of data obtained that can show complex interactions.

24
Q

What is an observational study?

A

Using groups that already exist so there are not any true independent variables as the observer is not causing any change. This can determine correlation but not causation.

25
Q

What are the two types of control?

A

Positive control

Negative control

26
Q

What is positive control?

A

Control group is not exposed to the experimental treatment but is exposed to a treatment of known effect.
Used to produce standardisation curves.

27
Q

What is negative control?

A

Control group is not exposed to the experimental treatment or any other known treatment.

28
Q

When is a representative sample taken?

A

If it is not practical to sample every single individual in a population .

29
Q

What does sample size depend on?

A

The natural variation in a population.
Large populations require a large sample size.
Small populations require a small sample size.

30
Q

What are the 3 types of sampling?

A

Random
Systematic
Stratified

31
Q

What is random sampling?

A

Each individual has equal chance of being selected.

32
Q

What is systematic sampling?

A

Population is sampled at set intervals.

33
Q

What is stratified sampling?

A

Sample split (male, female) then sampled proportionally.

34
Q

Why may variation of experimental results occur?

A

Reliability of measurements

Natural variation in specimens

35
Q

In terms of ensuring reliability, what is accuracy?

A

How close the data is the the true value.

36
Q

In terms of ensuring reliability, what is precision?

A

How close data values collected are to the data values being collected.

37
Q

How is the natural variation in living material determined?

A

By taking a sample of the population and repeating measurements to find the mean.

38
Q

Why is an independent replicate required?

A

To increase reliability of an experiment.

39
Q

How can an experimental design be considered valid?

A

The aim or hypothesis must be tested.
A control should be compared with a treatment group.
Confounding variables should be controlled.
Representative samples should be taken, and sample size should be sufficient.

AH Biology (3 decks)

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