Unit 1: The Process of Science

Flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture notes on the process of science.

Science

A way of knowing based on inquiry, derived from a Latin verb meaning 'to know.'

Discovery Science

An approach focused on describing nature and seeking natural causes for natural phenomena.

Hypothesis-driven Science

An approach primarily concerned with explaining nature through hypotheses.

Hypothesis

A tentative answer or explanation for a question, often tested through experiments.

Scientific Method

A process of inquiry consisting of a series of steps that guide scientific investigations.

Trans Fats

Non-natural fats produced through hydrogenation with various effects on health, particularly linked to heart disease.

Controlled Experiment

An experiment comparing an experimental group with a control group that differs by only one variable.

Scientific Theory

A broad explanation in science supported by extensive evidence, unlike a hypothesis which is narrower.

Observations

The basis of discovery science that involves verifiable and measurable data.

Natural Selection

The process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to reproduce, leading to evolutionary change.