BL259Manual-2023-Lab1

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to acquiring knowledge about the natural world through empirical evidence and logical reasoning.

Natural Philosophy

The focused study of the identifiable principles governing the natural world.

Natural Science

The study of the natural world based on empirical observations and scientific methods.

Empiricism

The belief that knowledge is derived from sensory experiences and observations.

Objective Reality

The existence of a singular reality that can be observed and studied, although perceptions of that reality may differ.

Scientific Doubt

The recognition that empirical data cannot provide 100% certainty and that scientific conclusions are tentative.

Induction

The process of using individual observations to create generalizations or conclusions.

Deduction

The process of testing a proposed cause or hypothesis against individual observations.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation or cause of an observable phenomenon.

Hypothetico-Deductive Method

A scientific method that combines deduction and induction to test hypotheses and draw conclusions.

Scientific Observations

The collection of empirical data through observation of the natural world.

Experiments

Controlled observations or tests conducted to gather empirical data and test hypotheses.

Organismic Biology Laboratory

A laboratory focused on the study of living organisms.

Science

The systematic study of the natural world through observation, experimentation, and analysis.

Naturalistic observations

Observations based on observing things that cannot be or are not manipulated experimentally.

Experimental observations

Observations based on experiments where a researcher isolates the effect of changing one thing.

Dependent variable

The thing being measured in an experiment, which is affected by the independent variable.

Independent variable

The thing that is altered experimentally to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Control group

A group in an experiment that is treated exactly like the experimental group, except it does not receive the experimental treatment.

Replicated studies

Studies that involve more than one individual or more than one set of experiments to provide better support for a hypothesis.

Placebo

A pill or treatment that does not contain the active ingredient being tested, used in the control group for comparison.

Procedural control

A control applied to a situation in a way that should cause a known result to occur, used to identify errors in the experiment.

Procedural controls

Controls that are necessary for experiments involving complex techniques or equipment.

Quantitative data

Data that is quantified numerically.

Qualitative data

Data that is not quantified numerically.

Metric system

The system of measurement used in science and most countries, except the United States and Myanmar (Burma).

Descriptive statistics

Statistical measures such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation used to summarize data.

Mean

The sum of all values divided by the total number of values; the arithmetic average.

Standard deviation

A measure of the spread of data around the mean.

Variance

The sum of squares divided by one less than the number of values.

Standard error

A measure similar to standard deviation, used to identify the range where there is a 68.2% chance of encountering the actual mean.

Standard deviation x 2

Two standard deviations around the mean, identifying the area where one expects to find 95% of the sample data values.

95% confidence interval

A range where there is a 95% chance of encountering the actual mean.

Empirical data

Data obtained through observation and experimentation.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested.

Prediction

A statement about what is expected to happen based on a hypothesis.

Consistent data

Data that aligns with the prediction, supporting the hypothesis.

Inconsistent data

Data that does not align with the prediction, rejecting the hypothesis.

Organismic Biology Laboratory

A laboratory focused on the study of organisms and their biological processes.

Sapsuckers

A type of bird that feeds on sap from trees.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested through experimentation or observation.

Descriptive statistics

Statistical measures that summarize and describe a set of data, such as the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.

Mean

The average value of a set of numbers.

Median

The middle value in a set of numbers when they are arranged in order.

Mode

The value that appears most frequently in a set of numbers.

Standard deviation

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of data.

Replicates

Multiple samples taken to address a hypothesis and ensure the reliability of the results.

Probabilistic statistics

Statistical analyses used to assess the likelihood that differences between sets of data are significant.

Hypothesis testing

The process of using statistical tests to evaluate whether observed differences in data are significant or due to chance.

P-value

A probability value that indicates the likelihood of obtaining a difference between two means due to chance.

Unpaired t-test

A statistical test used to compare the means of two independent groups.

Null hypothesis

The hypothesis that there is no significant difference between two sets of data.

Significance

The level at which a difference between two means is considered to be meaningful or not due to chance.

Means

The average value of a set of data points.

Prediction

A statement about what is expected to happen in an experiment or study.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested through experimentation.

P-value

A measure of the probability that the observed difference between two samples is due to chance.

Null hypothesis

The hypothesis that there is no significant difference between two samples.

Alternative hypothesis

The hypothesis that there is a significant difference between two samples.

Statistically significant

A result that is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone.

Independent variable

The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment.

Line graph

A graph that uses a line to connect data points and show a continuous trend.

Bar graph

A graph that uses bars to compare different categories or groups.

Histogram

A graph that shows the frequency distribution of numerical data.

Scatter plot

A graph that shows the relationship between two numerical variables.

Error bars

Bars on a graph that indicate the spread of data around the mean.

Standard deviation

A measure of the spread or variability of a set of data points.

Standard error

An estimate of the uncertainty or variability of a sample mean.

95% confidence interval

A range of values within which the true population mean is likely to fall with 95% certainty.

Figure legend

A description or explanation of the content of a graph or figure.

Organismic Biology Laboratory

A laboratory where students explore concepts of animal behavior and conduct behavioral studies.

Error bars

Bars on a graph that represent the range where there is a 95% chance of encountering the actual mean.

Statistical assumptions

Assumptions that must be reasonably met by the data before statistical tests can be used, such as normal distribution of data and equal variances between compared samples.

Behavior

What an animal does and how it does it.

Stereotypic behavior

Behavior that is performed in almost the same way every time.

Innate behavior

Behavior largely determined by genetic factors.

Learned behavior

Behavior that is modified as a result of specific experiences.

Stimulus

Environmental information that can elicit a behavior.

Response

Behaviors that are performed as a result of a stimulus.

Senses

The types of senses an animal has, which determine the stimuli it is sensitive to.

Ethogram

A set of comprehensive descriptions of the characteristic behavior patterns of a species.

Focal animal sampling

Taking behavioral data by focusing on one individual at a time for a period of time.

Continuous focal sampling

Observing an animal over a period of time and recording the duration of time it spends doing each behavior.

Instantaneous focal sampling

Observing an animal over a period of time at evenly-distributed time intervals and recording the behavior being undertaken by the animal.

Organismic Biology Laboratory

A laboratory focused on studying the behavior and biology of organisms.

Quantify

To measure or determine the amount or extent of something.

Proportional

Relating to or showing the relationship between two or more quantities.

Self-designed study

A study that is planned and conducted by the individual researcher.

Termites

Small insects that live in colonies and feed on wood.

Stimulus

Something that causes a response or reaction in an organism.

Stereotypic response

A predictable and consistent behavior exhibited by an organism in response to a specific stimulus.

Innate

Inborn or natural, not learned or acquired.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation or prediction based on limited evidence.

Replicate

To repeat or reproduce an experiment or study to ensure accuracy and reliability of results.

Behavioral sampling method

A technique used to observe and record specific behaviors of organisms.

Circular or oval drawn paths

The shape of the paths used to observe the behavior of termites.

P-value

A statistical measure used to determine the significance of a difference between two means.

Null hypothesis

The hypothesis that there is no significant difference between two groups or conditions.

Alternative hypothesis

The hypothesis that there is a significant difference between two groups or conditions.