BiologyChapter1: Data and the Scientific Method

Scientific Method

14 cards   |   Total Attempts: 182
  

Cards In This Set

Front Back
Data falls into what two categories?
- Qualitative (yes/no; recorded descriptions)- Quantitative (a number; quantity)
Inductive reasoning
- draws conclusions through the logical process of induction- through induction, we derive generalizations from a larger number of specific observations- EX: "the sun always rises in the east"
Deductive reasoning
- draws conclusions from the general to specific- used in math, computing- EX: if all organisms are made of cells (premise 1) and humans are organism (premise 2), then humans are composed of cells (deductive prediction about a specific case)
Hypothesis
- observations lead to ask questions and propose explanations- leads to predictions that can be tested by observation or experimentation
Example of the scientific method
- observation: your flashlight doesn't work- Question: why doesn't your flashlight work?- Hypothesis 1: - Hypothesis 2:- both these hypothesis are testable
Science
- latin verb meaning "to know"- an approach to understanding the natural world- developed out of curiosity about ourselves, other life-forms, our planet, and the universe
Inquiry
-the heart of science- a search for information and explanation, often focusing on specific questions
Scientists attempt to understand how natural phenomena works using a process of inquiry that includes what?
- making observations- forming logical hypothesis- testing that is repetitive
Scientists describe natural structures and processes as accurately as possible through what?
Observations and analysis of data
Observation
The use of the senses to gather information, directly or indirectly, with the help of tools that extend out senses
Data
-recorded observations- items of information in which scientific inquiry is based
Hypothesis in science is what?
- a tentative answer to a well-framed question; an explanation on trial based on available data and guided by inductive reasoning- a scientific hypothesis leads to predictions that can be tested by making additional observations or by performing experiments
Deductive testing takes the form of what?
If...then logic
Two important qualities of scientific hypothesis are what?
1. hypothesis must be testable; check the validity2. must be falsifiable; there must be some observation/experiment that could reveal if such an idea is actually not true