Review of Scientific Methods and Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts related to scientific methods, the distinction between laws and theories, the role of experiments in research, and the relationship between facts, laws, and theories.

What is the scientific method as described by Sagan?

It involves hypothesis checking, ensuring consistency with known data, and thinking about ways to test them.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable question that could be explored through experiments or literature searches.

What is the scientific method as described by Sagan?

It involves hypothesis checking, ensuring consistency with known data, and thinking about ways to test them.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable question that could be explored through experiments or literature searches.

What distinguishes a scientific law from a scientific theory?

Laws are predictable patterns observed in nature, while theories are testable explanations for those patterns.

What is the difference between facts and theories in science?

Facts are observations; theories are well-established explanations that may never become laws.

What does 'biologically plausible' mean in the context of medical treatment?

It refers to treatments that are expected to be effective based on biological mechanisms.

Define ‘natural experiment’.

Comparisons made between similar groups to test hypotheses in a real-world setting.

What is the main purpose of the scientific method?

To avoid being fooled by nature and ensure accurate understanding of the natural world.

What is the Induction in the context of scientific processes?

The process of discovering natural laws through multiple observations leading to general conclusions.

What is a Random Clinical Trial (RCT)?

A study that involves random assignment of participants to different treatment groups to test effectiveness.

Describe the relationship between facts, laws, and theories in science.

Facts can lead to laws that summarize these facts; theories provide explanations for the laws.

What is the significance of the term ‘empiricism’ in scientific research?

It emphasizes the importance of observation and testing in deriving knowledge.

What does Occam's Razor suggest?

The simplest explanation, or the one with the least assumptions, is usually the correct one.

How is greenhouse gas (GHG) absorption characterized?

GHG molecules absorb infrared radiation, which leads to warming.

What is the Beer-Lambert law?

It describes the relationship between the concentration of a substance and the amount of light absorbed.

How are pollutants related to health outcomes identified in studies?

Through statistical analysis of observed data comparing affected and control groups.

How is the effectiveness of a medical treatment determined?

By convincing evidence from RCTs or natural experiments, focusing on measurable outcomes.