Scientific Method

Question 1

Define Organism

Answer 1

Living thing

Question 2

What are some principles of experimentation?

Answer 2

• Planning and design
• Experimental control
• Safety procedures eg. wear lab coat and safety glasses

Question 3

What is the process of the scientific method?

Answer 3

1. Observation - Looking at something
2. Hypothesis - An educated guess based on an observation
3. Design experiment - Designed to test your hypothesis
4. Collect and interpret data - Set of results - numbers,facts or figures
5. Conclusions - Data is interpreted to show a summary of the results of the experiment
6. Compare to existing knowledge - Accept, reject, or change hypethesis. If hypothesis confirmed test further with new experiments. If hypothesis unconfirmed change it and test again.
7. Publish - Write report so experiment can be repeated. Publish in scientific journal. Ideas can then be made available to all scientists and adds to growth of global scientific understanding. Can be developed into theory or law/principle

Question 4

Define Biology

Answer 4

Study of living things

Question 5

Define theory

Answer 5

Hypothesis supported by an experiment

Question 6

Define placebo

Answer 6

A ‘fake’ drug or intervention used in an experiment to set up a control

Question 7

Define variable

Answer 7

Factor that may change in an experiment

Question 8

Define data

Answer 8

Set of results - numbers, facts or figures

Question 9

Define observation

Answer 9

Looking at something using your senses

Question 10

Define control

Answer 10

Used to provide comparison against which the actual experiment can be judged

Question 11

Define Scientific Method

Answer 11

Process of investigation which involves observing, doing an experiment and finding answers

Question 12

Define hypothesis

Answer 12

An educated guess based on an observation

Question 13

Define placebo effect

Answer 13

When a person experiences a perceived improvement in their condition after receiving a treatment with no actual medical value, simply due to their belief in its effectiveness.

Question 14

Define conclusion

Answer 14

Summary of the results of an experiment

Question 15

What is the aim of an experiment?

Answer 15

Designed to test hypothesis

Question 16

What are the three areas of biology?

Answer 16

Botany - Study of plants
Zoology - Study of animals
Microbiology - Study of small organisms

Question 17

Define double blind testing

Answer 17

Both the investigator and participant are unaware of the nature of the treatment the participant is receiving

Question 18

Define principal or law

Answer 18

A theory that is valid against long term testing

Question 19

What are some possible sources of error of the scientific method?

Answer 19

• Using too many variables
• Not using a control
• Not repeating the experiment
• Human error

Question 20

Define replicate

Answer 20

Repeat of an experiment

Question 21

What are some limitations in the value of the scientific method?

Answer 21

• The extent of our knowledge
• Design of experiment is limited to observation method and instrument eg. discovery of viruses depended on the discovery of the electron microscope
• Human error eg. mistakes in recording
• Deilberate falsification of results
• Bias - confidence in hypothesis can affect accuracy of observation and interpretation of results
• Is limited by our ability to interpret results
• Accidental discovery
• Ethical and legal responisibilities

Question 22

Define ethics

Answer 22

Moral conduct

Question 23

How can experiments be made fair and why is this important?

Answer 23

• Random selection - To avoid bias. So that we don’t accidentally select a certain type of sample as this will mean the results are influenced by the factor that is selected. This ensures that the experiment applies to the whole population
• Replication - To verify your results. If it can be repeated, the results can be shown to be always true.
• Use a larger sample size - To ensure that the results was not only representative of a smaller amount of organisms. The larger sample size the less risk there is that the results are due to individual differences rather than being caused by the factor being investigated.
• Double blind testing - The tester cannot influence the experiment by consciously or unconsciously giving clues to the subject.
• Only change one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same - To ensure that the results of the experiment are due to the factor that is changed and not some other factor.

Question 24

Give one way results of an experiment can be presented

Answer 24

Graph or table

Question 25

Why is random selection important?

Answer 25

To avoid bias. So that we don't accidentally select a certain type of sample as this will mean the results are influenced by the factor that is selected. This ensures that the experiment applies to the whole population

Question 26

Why is replication important?

Answer 26

To verify your results. If it can be repeated, the results can be shown to be always true.