Bio Chapter 1

Hypothosis

Hypothosis

A testable and falsifiable explaination for a scientific observation or question

Testable

a hypothesis that can be supported or rejected by carefully designed experiments or nonexperimental studies.

Falsifiable

a hypothesis that can be ruled out by data that show that the hypothesis does not explain the observation.

Experiment

A carefully designed test, the results of which either support or rule out a hypothesis

Experimental Group

A subject or group of subjects in an experiment that is exposed to the factor or condition being tested.

Control Group

Group in an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable.

Placebo

A fake treatment given to control groups to mimic the experience of the experimental groups.

science

the process of using observations and experiments to draw evidence-based conclusions

Anecdotal Evidence

An informal observation that has not been systematically tested.

Peer Review

A process in which independent scientific experts read scientific studies before their publication to ensure that the authors have appropriately designed and interpreted their study.

Placebo Effect

The phenomenon in which the expectations of the participants in a study can influence their behavior.

Independent Variable

Variables changed in a systematic way, experienced by the experimental group

Dependent Variable

The measured result of an experiment, measuring the effect of the independent variables

Sample Size

The number of subjects used in an experiment or study. Generally, the larger the better.

Statistical Significance

A measure of confidence that the results obtained are "real," rather than due to random chance.

Scientific Theory

A hypothesis that is supported by many years of rigorous testing and thousands of experiments

Epidemiology

Study of patterns of disease in populations including risk factors

Correlation

A consistent relationship between two variables

Randomized Clinical Trial

A controlled medical experiment in which subjects are randomly chosen to receive either an experimental treatment or a standard treatment (or placebo).

Constant Variable

A variable that has a value that does not change

Replicates

experimental units that are treated identically