Zoology Class: Scientific Method
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16 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Hypothesis | a testable, tentative explanation based on prior knowledge |
| Theory | a body of knowledge that attempts to logically explain natural phenomena. it has been supported by many lines of independently derived evidence; well supported scientific knowledge |
| Scientific Method (def) | systematic approach to interpreting observations; based on evidence and testable hypothesis |
| Scientific Method (steps) | make observations, ask questions, consult prior knowledge, formulate a hypothesis, collect and interpret data, consult prior knowledge, draw conclusions, peer review |
| Experiment | a test of a hypothesis under controlled conditions |
| Dependent Variable | response that may be under the influence of an independent variable |
| Independent Variable | hypothesized influence on a dependent variable |
| Control Treatments | untreated group used as a bias for comparison w/ a treated group in an experiment |
| Scientific Knowledge | truth is provisional (it changes), wrong = good (progress), testing leads to acceptance, the "best" answer |
| Innate Knowledge | instinctive; coded in genes (taste, moro reflex) |
| Authoritative Knowledge | relies on trust/faith (religion, books) |
| How are hypotheses and theories different? | A theory is broader in scope and encompass multiple hypotheses; a hyp. is tentative, but theories reflect a broader agreement; a theory predicts about future phenomena |
| How are hypotheses and theories the same? | they are both explanations for a natural phenomenon |
| What are the goals of science? | to construct better and better explanations |
| What are limits to scientific understanding? | it may lead to multiple interpretations; researchers may misinterpret observations or results; scientific community might be slow to accept new evidence; cannot answer things that don't have a testable hypothesis; hard to study the past w/out lots of evidence |
| How is progress made in science? | by proving things wrong |
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