Biology basics

Theory

A concept that is well tested and has valid explanations for an event.

Hypothesis

A concept yet to be proven. A proposed scientific statement that can be tested and proven scientifically through experimentation and results. A suggested explanation of an event or a phenomenon which can be tested and proven later.

Experimentation/ research

Using tools and technology to obtain data for comparison and further investigation

Procedure

a specific methodology or steps involved in carrying out a particular experiment to obtain the desired results.

fact

a statement which is proved and explains something in reality.

research study

data from past experiments is combined to study and evaluate a particular topic in consideration.

result analysis

detailed description of the results obtained through experimentation.

Deductive reasoning

general to specific. Truth of the premises guarantees the truth of the conclusion. Reasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying that principle to a specific case (The sun rises every morning; therefore, the sun will rise on Tuesday morning.)

Summary

summarizes the entire experimental study.

Control Group

the group that does not receive the experimental treatment. Compared with those from the experimental group to draw an inference.

Conclusion

the result from an experiment that also explains its significance.

review of literature

A review of literature is the section of a scientific paper that describes and compares the past and the current findings regarding a particular event or topic.

Evaluation

Analyzing data and its validity

Findings have to be shared with the scientific community.

By publishing in scientific journals indicating that the study is valid and reliable since it has undergone peer-reviewed procedures and has been accepted by the scientific community.

Scientific Method

Combining data from past experiments and using it to investigate a particular topic in consideration.

Experimentation

Heart of science. Indicated whether a given hypothesis is valid or not. Proves or disproves a particular scientific statement and tell us whether it can be universally applicable or not.

Iterative process

Interactive session for the researcher to reflect on the results of the experiment and take valuable inputs.

Valid hypothesis

It can be tested and even falsified after numerous experimental results.

A lab student conducts a study on 10 different plants and their time of exposure to light energy. What would you infer from this set-up?

It is a controlled experiment since the conditions for plant growth are being provided in a controlled environment to carry out the experimental procedure.

Double-blind

Keeps the identity of subjects hidden from the researcher to avoid any researcher-patient bias in the experiment. Information about researcher and the subject is kept from both.

A hypothesis which cannot be tested through experiments for various ethical and practical reasons can be tested using:

Non-experimental hypothesis testing.

Scientific process

Observation, hypothesis, experiment, evaluation, conclusion

A detailed process is carried out (by other scholars) in order to examine a scientific paper for the originality, significance, and logical reasoning of the obtained data. Which of the following describes this process?

Peer-review of manuscripts

Pot 1 is devoid of water, whereas pot 2 is constantly take care of by providing sufficient water, soil, and light conditions. Which of the following statements is true about this experiment?

Pot 1 is the control group, Pot 2 is the experimental group, and water is the independent variable. Sprouting of the seed is the dependent variable because it depends on the amount of water supply.

Universal law

Results continue to support a scientific theory even after altering certain factors.

Inductive reasoning

Specific to general. A type of logic in which generalizations are based on a large number of specific observations. type of logical reasoning that moves from particular observations about members of a class to a general conclusion about that class. General conclusion.

A scientist recreates an experiment to check is reliability across varying times and places. -->hat would be the end process of the experiment in the scientific method?

The conclusion is the last step of the scientific method which compares the results of the experiment with its predicted results, and also tells whether they support a particular hypothesis.

Independent variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied. Any factor that differs between the experimental group and the control group.

(T/F) A hypothesis cannot be accepted or rejected solely based on research data, without conducting any valid experiments and their results.

True

(T/F)A hypothesis is not always proven correct or accepted throughout the scientific world as a law. It can be rejected as well.

True

Including all data and using placebos is important for recording accurate findings and deriving a conclusion at the end of a study.

True

Repeated experimental trials rule out any erroneous factors arising due to a limited sample space and trials

True

Using double-blind studies ensures that the true effects of a drug/medicine are found without any researcher-subject bias.

True

Conclusion

You compare the experimental data/results with the predicted results of the test (hypothesis). Includes experimental results and inferences drawn from that particular experiment.

variable

a particular factor is constantly changed in an experimental study.

Case study

an investigation into a particular event, procedure, or phenomenon which includes an elaborative description of various factors.

Controlled experiment

carried out in a laboratory under controlled conditions using various tools and technology.

Placebo

prevents the test subject form knowing whether they are being given the real therapeutic drug or not. This helps understand the true effects of the drug.

Peer review

process where peer scientists and experts check the originality and logical reasoning, the findings of the research.

Logical reasoning

used to deduce the hypothetical statement through various experiments.