General Biology Laboratory - Scientific Method

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on the scientific method and general principles of biology.

What is the definition of science according to the lecture notes?

Science is a process of learning and knowing about the natural world, based on facts gathered through observations and/or experimentation.

What are the 6 steps of the scientific method?

Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, Conclusion, Scientific Theory.

What is the first step in the scientific method?

Observation.

What must a hypothesis be to be valid according to the notes?

A hypothesis must be empirically testable and based on observable facts.

What type of relationship does a hypothesis typically express?

A possible cause-and-effect relationship.

In an experiment, what is the independent variable?

The variable that is manipulated by the experimenter.

What is meant by a dependent variable?

The variable that responds to or potentially depends on the independent variable.

What is a null hypothesis?

An assumption that the treatment or intervention does not work.

What is the purpose of the control group in an experiment?

To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group results.

How is data analyzed according to the scientific method?

Raw data is summarized, usually through tables or graphs, and statistical calculations are performed to compare results.

What does it mean if predicted data matches actual data in an experiment?

It means the hypothesis has been supported.

What distinguishes a scientific theory from a hypothesis?

A scientific theory is a well-tested explanation supported by a large collection of hypotheses that have never been rejected.

Why is it important to always include units in measurements?

Measurements without units have no meaningful context.

What statistical method can indicate if two means are significantly different?

Two means are significantly different if their ranges do not overlap when reported with standard deviations.

What should be done if a hypothesis is rejected based on experimental results?

The hypothesis must be revised and further testing should be conducted.

What are signs of bad science as outlined in the lecture?

Sensationalized headlines, misinterpreted results, unrepresentative samples, and conflicts of interest.

What is the importance of peer review in the scientific process?

Peer review ensures that other scientists critique and validate the study before publication, enhancing credibility.

What does variance measure in a data set?

Variance measures how far individual data points are spread out from the mean.