Scientific Method and Statistics Vocabulary

These flashcards cover the vocabulary and key concepts of the scientific method, experimental design, and basic statistics as presented in the lecture notes.

Scientific Method Steps

A process including: Make observations, Hypothesis, Test hypothesis (experiment), and Conclusions.

Pseudoscience

Individuals make scientific- Sounding Claims that are not Supported by scientific Studies.

Anecdotal observations

Observations based on only one or few observations where people conclude that is or is not linked between two things.

Superstition

A belief or way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown & faith in magic or luck.

Hypothesis

A Proposed explanation for a phenomen, often formatted as "If then".

Theory

A hypothesis for natural Phenomena that is exceptionally well-supported data, such as evolution.

Scientific Law

Observation of what will happen; it does not tell you why.

Scientific theory

Tells you why something happens and has been test based on a scientific method.

Treatment

Any experimental condition applied to indivduas or circumstances.

Experiment group

The group that receives a treatment.

Control group

A group of individuals who are treated identically to the experiment group but they are not exposed to the experiment.

Variables

Characteristics of your experimental system that are Subject to change.

Independent variable

Variable that is changed.

Dependent variable

Variable affected by the Chengre.

The placebo effect

The phenomenon in which people respond favorably to any treatment; highlights the need for comparison of treatment.

Blind experimental design

The experimental subjects do not know which treatment they are receiving.

Double-blind

Neither the experimental Subjects nor the experimenter knows which treatment the subject is receiving.

Randomized

The subjects are randomly assigned into experimental + Control group.

Statistics

A set of analytical & methematical tools designed to help researchers gain understanding from the date they gather.

Mean

The average value in the date.

Median

The middle valve in the data.

Mode

Most common value in the date.