An Introduction to Science - Chapter 1: Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 1 of An Introduction to Science, focusing on the nature of science, the scientific method, and foundational concepts.

Scientific Method

A systematic process for understanding the natural world: ask questions, form testable hypotheses, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and repeat the cycle.

Hypotheses

Proposed explanations for observations or testable predictions used to guide experiments.

Null Hypothesis

The default assumption that there is no relationship or effect between variables.

Alternative Hypothesis

The tested prediction suggesting a relationship or effect between variables.

Experimental group

The group that receives the intervention or exposure to the independent variable.

Control group

The group that does not receive the intervention, used for comparison.

Observational study

A study that collects data by watching or measuring without manipulating the independent variable.

Dependent variable

The outcome measured in an experiment; the variable that responds to the independent variable.

Independent variable

The variable deliberately changed or manipulated to test its effect.

Statistical significance

A threshold (commonly 95%) indicating the observed effect is unlikely due to chance; leads to rejecting the null hypothesis.

Fact

A phenomenon that exists or occurs and can be verified by observations or experiments.

Evolution

Species change over time, supported by observations and experiments.

Scientific Theory

A broad, well-supported explanation for a large set of observations and tests, explaining how phenomena occur and not yet disproved.

Natural Selection

A mechanism of adaptive evolution; differential survival and reproduction; fit individuals pass on genes to subsequent generations.

Scientific Law

A statement describing a phenomenon that is reliably observed under certain conditions, but does not explain why it happens.

Laws of thermodynamics

Foundational rules about energy behavior; include the conservation of energy and energy degradation (entropy) in transformations.

Entropy

A measure of disorder that tends to increase as energy is transformed or used.

Uniformitarianism

The principle that the laws of nature are the same everywhere in the universe across time (past, present, future).

Critical Thinking

The ability to evaluate facts and evidence objectively to make informed decisions, challenging preconceptions.

Anecdotal evidence

Information based on personal experience or stories rather than systematic data; often not reliable.