Scientific Terms and Methodology

Vocabulary flashcards defining key scientific concepts, methods, and the hierarchy of explanations based on the lecture transcript.

Science

A way of understanding the natural world by testing explanations against the natural world.

Fact (Scientific)

Confirmed observations that, on their own, do not explain natural phenomena and are considered by scientists to be 'a dime a dozen'.

Hypothesis

A testable statement regarding the relationship between variables that is tested and either accepted or rejected.

Theory (Scientific)

The most important construct in science, defined as a logical explanation of a natural phenomenon built from facts, tested hypotheses, and laws.

Law (Scientific)

A descriptive generalization about what will happen under a given situation and set of constraints.

Law of Independent Assortment

Mendel's hereditary principle stating that hereditary units behave independently of one another, which is broken when genes are located too close together on a chromosome.

Scientific Hierarchy of Importance

The scientific ranking of explanations in order of importance: theories at the top, followed by laws, hypotheses, and lastly facts.

Layperson Perception of Theory

The common public misconception that a scientific theory is merely a guess, hunch, or something not to be taken seriously.