Lecture 1

Question 1

Scientific Methods

Answer 1

• determines what can be studied by science and how it should be studied
  1. observation
  2. hypothesis
  3. experiment/observation
  4. conclusion
  5. scientific theory

Question 2

Observation

Answer 2

• new observations are made, and previous data are studied

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

• input from various sources is used to formulate a testable statement

Question 4

Experiment/Observations

Answer 4

• the hypothesis is tested by experiment or further observations

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

• the results are analyzed, and the hypothesis is supported or rejected

Question 6

Scientific Theory

Answer 6

• many experiments and observations support a theory

Question 7

Controlled Variables

Answer 7

• ideally, do not change

- common to all treatments

Question 8

Independent Variable

Answer 8

• what are you altering in the experiment

Question 9

Dependent Variable

Answer 9

• what you are observing in the experiment, it should respond to changes in the independent variable

Question 10

Controls

Answer 10

• can validate experimental procedures

- positive and negative

Question 11

Positive Controls

Answer 11

• an experimental treatment which will give the desired result

Question 12

Negative Controls

Answer 12

• an experimental treatment which will NOT give the desired resuolt

Question 13

False Positive

Answer 13

• detected by negative control

Question 14

False Negative

Answer 14

• detected by positive control

Question 15

Additional Concerns of Research

Answer 15

• experimenter or subject bias?
• adequate notes?
• reproducible?
• is it qualitative or quantitative?
• is a result statistically significant?
• can you rule out correlation from causation?