Scientific Method, Experimental Design, and Wastewater Treatment

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental scientific concepts, rules of experimental design, quality control, and wastewater treatment processes.

Science

The study of the natural world by gathering and analyzing data, which relies on data in a way that differs from philosophy and ethics.

Scientific Method

A method for studying nature and designing experiments.

Assumptions in Science

The core principles that scientists can determine patterns in nature through observation and study, and that these discovered patterns are assumed to be true everywhere, across time.

Parsimony

The rule of science stating that if multiple explanations of an event or process are possible, the simplest explanation is most likely true.

Induction

A way of thinking in science that involves making a generalization (called an inference) based on observation, such as observing that all squirrels seen have fur.

Peer Review

A quality control mechanism where scientific research is submitted to journals and reviewed by specialists to ensure it is quality work based on data.

Independent Variable

The manipulated variable in an experimental design that is controlled by the scientist.

Dependent Variable

The responding variable in an experimental design that responds to changes made to the independent variable.

Controlling Variables

The process of keeping all variables constant except for the independent variable in an experiment.

Replicates

Multiple subjects or test units used per experimental group to avoid odd responses from single plants or subjects.

Sampling Bias Example

An experimental design flaw illustrated by comparing male and female heights in Louisville, KY by sampling jockeys at a horse racing track against members of the University of Louisville's women's basketball team.

Differing Testing Conditions Example

An experimental design flaw illustrated by comparing math scores at two local elementary schools by testing School #1 in the morning and School #2 in the afternoon on the same day.

Uneven Pesticide Exposure Example

An experimental design flaw illustrated in a $6\,\text{weeks}$ cattle feeding study where one cow in the food #1 group was infected with lice after $2\,\text{days}$ and treated with insecticide.

Fern Experimental Design Example

An experiment where fern seedlings are grown in identical conditions with varying water levels ($0\,\text{liters daily}$, $0.5\,\text{liters daily}$, and $1\,\text{liter daily}$) using $3\,\text{replicates}$ per group to compare average plant biomass after $6\,\text{weeks}$.

Conventional Wastewater Treatment

A system where treated effluent is released to surface water, which can deplete groundwater and cause eutrophication.

Campus Wastewater Plant ("Artificial Rain")

A facility treating campus wastewater only that sprays up to $4\,\text{million gallons/day}$ of treated effluent.

Treated Wastewater Effluent (TWE) Chemistry

The chemical makeup of treated wastewater effluent, which contains high levels of plant nutrients ($\text{N}$ and $\text{P}$) and high levels of $\text{Na}$, $\text{Ca}$, $\text{K}$, and $\text{Mg}$ salts ("hard" water).