Chapter 1, Lesson 3: The Scientific Method

Flashcards from Chapter 1, Lesson 3 of McGraw Hill Anatomy and Physiology, Ninth Edition, by Kenneth S. Saladin.

Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes

Philosophers who invented a systemic way of measuring trends in nature through generalization

Science and scientific methods

Set standards for truth

The inductive method

Method by Francis Bacon which involves making numerous observations until confident in making generalizations; knowledge of anatomy obtained by this method

Proof in science

Reliable and repeatedly confirmed

The Hypothetico-Deductive Method

Investigator formulates a hypothesis, or an educated speculation or answer to the question; most physiological knowledge gained this way

Falsifiability

If something is scientifically true, evidence must be specified to prove it wrong

Sample size

Number of subjects in a study

Controls

Group that resembles treatment group but does not receive treatement

Psychosomatic effects

Effect of state of mind on physiology; tested through placebo

Experimenter bias

Avoided with double-blind study

Statistical testing

Statement of probability that treatment was effective

Peer review

Evaluation by other experts in the field, prior to funding or publication

Scientific Fact

Information that can be independently verified

Law of Nature

Generalization about the way matter and energy behave as a verbal statement or formula

Theory

An explanation of set of statements from facts, laws, and hypotheses, which summarizes what we know