Principles of Science

Science

A process that seeks to understand the natural and social world through the collection and analysis of evidence

Fact

Simple observation we make about the world

Hypothesis

A testable explanation or prediction based on the observation and the scientist's prior knowledge

Theory

Broad explanations that have been tested through observation and experimentation

Law

Identifies a phenomenon of nature without explaining it

Scientific Method

The sequence of steps that scientists follow, when attempting to answer a question or explain and observation

Observation

The act of viewing or noting a detail, fact, or occurence

Dr. Jenners Hypothesis

If a person was exposed to cowpox, they would become immune to smallpox. Proven correct.

Experiment

Tests the hypothesis under controlled conditions, with defined variables

Independent Variable

New factor that is to be introduced and tested

Dependent Variable

The measured result that is influenced by the independent variable

Controlled Variables

Kept constant so they do not influence the dependent variable

Control Group

Does not receive the independent variable

Experimental Group

Receives the independent variable

Data

Includes all the measurements and observations made during the experiment

Conclusion

States whether the hypothesis is supported by the experiment

Peer Review

Involves publishing the results for other scientists to review and check for error, bias, or uncontrolled variables

Margin of Error

An estimate of how different a result is from the actual value

Sample Size

Number of observations used in an experiment or study

Controlled Experiment

Take place in artificial environments or labs

Natural

Take place in the real world without manipulation

Bias

The preference for an experiment to turn out in a certain way

Blind Experiments

Reduce bias by ensuring the test subjects do not know whether they are in the experimental or control group

Double Blind Experiments

Prevent both scientists and subjects from knowing which is the experimental group

Correlation

Observed when statistical variables have a relationship that is not expected by chance alone

Causation

Occurs when one variable directly influences the other

Psuedoscience

False science; appears to be scientific, but does not follow scientific principles

Spontaneous Generation

Proposed that life can arise from non-living matter; considered pseudoscience because there were no formal experimental evidence and no alternative hypotheses were considered or tested