Lab 1: The Scientific Method

The hypothesis is central to the scientific method and needs to satisfy what several criteria?

1. it is a tentative explanation of your observation(s) 2. it is testable and falsifiable via experimentation and data collection 3. you can predict what the results of your experiment would be if your hypothesis is accurate (supported by your data) or if it is inaccurate (supported by your data).

prediction

A logical statement about what will happen if the hypothesis is correct.

conclusion

A summary based on evidence or facts

Scientific method, in order.

Question, observation, hypothesis, controlled experiment, conclusion

expirement

a procedure that is used to test a hypothesis

confirmation bias

a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence

Three basic categories of variables:

dependent; independent; controlled

Observations may be __ or __.

direct; indirect

dependent variables

factors that are actually measured, counted, or observed; they are the variables you expect to change in response to the independent variable.

independent variables

factors that are intentionally manipulated in an experiment because it is predicted that they will affect the dependent variable.

controlled variables

factors/conditions that are held constant between control and treatment groups

Prior knowledge should be used to develop a __ which suggests an answer to the question.

hypothesis

The scientific method starts with an accurate __ about the natural world.

observation

experiments cannot prove that a hypothesis is correct or true, only what?

provide support for the hypothesis

When designing the procedure it is important to consider what?

the levels of treatment (range of the independent variable), sample units (e.g. patients, specimens, etc), and the number of replicates (how many sample units per treatment)

biology

the scientific study of life, living processes and their interaction with the environment.