Scientific Method & Experimental Design

Scientific Method

is a logical organized mechanism for identifying and researching a problem and devising a problem, and devising a strategy for solving it

Null Hypotheis (H0)

There is no difference between observed and expected results

Alterntive Hypothesis

the opposite of the null hypothesis, there is a significant difference

Standarized/Controlled

variable which remians constant

Independent variable

manipulated or changed variable

Dependent Variable

variable that is being measured

Double blind studies

when the participates don’t know what they’re taking

Advangtages to double blind studies

Eliminates bias and placebo effect

Positive controls

gives the desired/expected outcome of the expirement

Negative controls

gives a result opposite of what we expected

Controls

increase statistical validity of data

Benefit of positive control

allows us to test/confirm that our protocol is effective

Benefits of control negative

Allows researchers test whether the independent variable has an effect on the result

Small Sample size

may obtaid n obtain skewed results due to random chance

Large Sample size

Reduces the effect the effect of random chance