Biology - The Scientific Method

Defintions
The Scientific Method: process of investigation in which problems are identified and their suggested explanations are tested by carrying out experiments

Observation: information obtained by our senses

Hypothesis: an educated guess based on observations

Experimentation: Designed to test the hypothesis
- Data: consists of the measurements, observations or
- information gathered from experiments
Theory: A hypothesis that has been supported by many different experiments

A Principle or Law: Arises from a theory that has been shown to be valid when fully tested over a long period of time

Variable: a factor that may change in an experiment
- Control: Is used to provide a standard against which
- the actual experiment can be judged
For Experiments to be fair
- Sample size must be the same and quite large
- Random selection is used
- Others must be able to replicate experiments
- Double Blind testing must be used
Limits of the value of scientific method
- Extent of our knowledge
- Basis of investigation
- Interpreting results
- Changes in the natural world
- Accidental discoveries
Ethical Issues
- Use of captive animals
- Cloning animals
- Whether or not evolution took place
- Freezing sperm and embryos

Author

katienewman

113177

Card Set

Biology - The Scientific Method

Description

Biology

Updated

2011-10-30T19:30:25Z

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