BIOL 3327 Experimental Methods Lecture 11

Flashcards covering key concepts from BIOL 3327 Experimental Methods Lecture 11 focusing on scientific methods, hypothesis testing, and the philosophy of science.

What is the main idea expressed by Siddhartha in Hesse's novel?

Seeking means having a goal, while finding means being free and open.

Who are the historical figures mentioned as contributors to experimental science?

Galileo, Bacon, and Newton.

What does Hume's circular argument suggest about nature?

We believe nature is uniform because it has always been uniform in the past.

What is Karl Popper known for in relation to scientific hypotheses?

He is known for introducing the concept of hypothesis falsification.

How should a research hypothesis be stated?

It should be stated as a null hypothesis (H0) and an alternative hypothesis (Ha or H1).

What does the 'magic 1 in 20 or P ≤ 0.05' refer to in hypothesis testing?

It refers to the threshold for statistical significance used to decide whether to reject H0.

What are the potential biases introduced by hypothesis testing frameworks?

They may induce experimental bias, promoting incomplete data collection and favoring positive data.

How can the structure of hypotheses lead to bias in scientific experiments?

The identical phrasing of hypotheses and conclusions can confuse the expected outcome with the actual result.

What is the consequence of scientists being rewarded for failing to falsify hypotheses?

Only positive data tends to get published, creating a bias in scientific literature.

What distinguishes a model from a hypothesis according to David Glass?

A model is data derived, can be tested for predictive power, and can be modified based on new data.

What is the negative implication of experimental designs framed exclusively as hypotheses?

They may limit exploration to a single outcome and promote data filtering.

What benefit can fishing expeditions provide in scientific research?

They can uncover new patterns and help establish testable models or hypotheses.

What does the term 'night science' refer to?

It refers to exploration of unstructured hypotheses and ideas not fully fleshed out.

How can changes in technology alter scientific approaches according to the lecture?

New technologies generate novel data that can change the questions we ask and the theories we develop.

What does integration of inductive and deductive reasoning contribute to scientific innovation?

It keeps science innovative and rigorous by allowing discoveries through pattern recognition without being strictly hypothesis-driven.