scientific method ( Ch. 1 )

Anecdotal observation

Observation of one or only a few instances of a phenomenon

Biological literacy

The ability to use scientific inquiry to think creatively about real world issues that have a biological component, communicate these thoughts to others, and integrate these ideas into your decision making

Biology

The study of living things

Blind experimental design

An experimental design in which the subject do not know what treatment (if any) they are receiving

Control group

The group of subjects not exposed to the treatment being studied but otherwise treated identically to the experiment group

Critical experiment

An experiment that makes it possible to decisively determine whether a particular hypothesis is better than the alternative hypothesis

Dependent variable

A measurable entity that is created by the process being observed and the value of which cannot be controlled

Double blind experiment design

An experimental design in which neither the subject nor the experimenters know what treatment (if any) the individual subjects are receiving

Empirical

Describes knowledge that is based on experience and observation that are rational, testable, and repeatable

Experimental group

The groups of subjects exposed to the particular treatment

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for an observed phenomenon. ( an idea that can be tested)

Independent variable

The variable the researcher change

Independent variable

The variable the researcher change

Placebo effect

The phenomenon on which there is a positive respond to treatment with an inactive substance

Placebo effect

The phenomenon on which there is a positive respond to treatment with an inactive substance

Positive correlation

A relationship between variables in which they increase (or decrease) together

Pseudoscience

Hypotheses and theories not supported by trustworthy and methodical scientific studies

Randomized

Subjects are randomly assigned into experiment and control groups

Replication

The process of repeating a study - to validate the results

Science

A body of knowledge based on observation

Scientific literacy

A general , fact based understanding of the basics of biology and other since

Scientific method

A process of examination and discover of natural phenomena that involves- the steps

Scientific thinking

A highly flexible process of exploring natural phenomena that involves voles making observations- the steps

Statistics

A set of analytical and mathematical tools designed to further the understanding of numerical data

Superstition

The irrational belief that actions not related by logic to a course of events can influence an outcome

Technology

The application of research findings to various fields such as manufacturing and medicine to solve problems

Treatment

In a research study, any condition applied to subjects- those in the treatment group

Variable

The characteristics of an experimental system subject to change in an experiment