Scientific Method

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Make observations, develop a question, formulate a hypothesis, conduct a controlled experiment, draw conclusions, share results.

What is a hypothesis?

A proposed explanation for an observation that must be testable.

What distinguishes a control group from a treatment group?

The control group remains unchanged, while the treatment group experiences the experimental change.

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

Quantitative data is objective and consists of continuous numbers, whereas qualitative data is subjective and includes words/descriptions and categories.

What is a double-blind experiment?

An experimental design in which both the patient and the doctor do not know which treatment is the placebo or the real drug.

Can science prove things?

No, science can only support or fail to support a hypothesis.

Define a scientific theory.

A scientific theory explains a great many observations and is supported by evidence.

What is the purpose of the abstract in a scientific paper?

The abstract provides a summary of the whole paper.

List the main components of a scientific paper.

Title and authors, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, references.

What is the main difference between science and pseudoscience?

Science seeks knowledge through evidence and is open to criticism, while pseudoscience starts with fixed conclusions and is often hostile towards criticism.

What are the requirements for a proper graph?

Title, labels, consistent axis increments, and appropriate data types (quantitative or qualitative).

When would you use a bar graph?

When comparing different groups.

Why is it important to start the y-axis at 0 in a bar graph?

To accurately compare absolute values.

What type of graph is best for showing change over time?

Line graph.

What do pie graphs show?

Pie graphs compare parts of a whole, with wedges representing percentages.