Scientific Theories and Research Ethics

Questions and Answers

What is plagiarism?

Falsely representing data

Theft of another's work or ideas (correct)

Fabricating experimental results

Performing an experiment without consent

What is a primary concern in human research?

Protecting the welfare of research participants (correct)

Using the same methodology in all studies

Ensuring participants complete the study

Getting accurate results

Why is fabrication considered more serious than plagiarism?

Because it means stealing entire works

Because it involves using someone else's ideas

Because it entails faking data or information (correct)

Because it requires deception without consent

What is informed consent in the context of human research?

Participants agree to the study after understanding its nature, risks, and discomforts Signup and view all the answers

What does deception in a research context involve?

Failing to tell the participants the exact purpose of the research Signup and view all the answers

Why are the words 'truth' or 'proof' almost forbidden in science?

Because science is rapidly changing Signup and view all the answers

What arises from several hypotheses that are tested?

A theory Signup and view all the answers

What best describes a hypothesis in scientific terms?

An educated guess Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a theory in science?

To integrate and interpret diverse observations Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about scientific hypotheses?

They are educated guesses Signup and view all the answers

Why would some experiments performed in the past not be performed today?

Because of ethical issues. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the ethical committee play in contemporary research studies?

They oversee and approve the study’s ethical aspects. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the development of ethics in research?

Ethics in research have developed and become stricter over the years. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best differentiates plagiarism from fabrication?

Plagiarism involves using someone else’s work without credit; fabrication involves making up data or results. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would not be a responsibility of an ethical committee in research?

Conducting the research experiments themselves. Signup and view all the answers

Which research technique is used to characterize cell types by outlining the whole cell, including dendritic spines?

The Golgi stain Signup and view all the answers

Which stain is specifically taken up by the fatty myelin that wraps and insulates axons?

Myelin stains Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a naturalistic observation?

Observation in a natural setting Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using Nissl stain in neuroscience research?

To outline all cell bodies Signup and view all the answers

In an experimental study, what is the independent variable?

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher Signup and view all the answers

Which technique makes neurons stand out visibly and can reveal active neurons, allowing for correlation with behavior?

Autoradiography Signup and view all the answers

Which research method uses antibodies attached to a dye to identify cellular components?

Immunocystochemistry Signup and view all the answers

Which research method involves following the progress of one specific patient?

Case study Signup and view all the answers

Why can't conclusions about cause and effect be drawn from correlational studies?

They do not involve manipulation of an independent variable Signup and view all the answers

Which research method uses a questionnaire to evaluate different aspects of behavior?

Survey Signup and view all the answers

What is one problem associated with experimental studies?

Problem with controlling of extraneous variables Signup and view all the answers

What does the beam of electrons in a scanning electron microscope induce the specimen to do?

Emit electrons itself Signup and view all the answers

Which German psychiatrist invented the electroencephalography (EEG)?

Hans Berger Signup and view all the answers

What role does the electronic amplifier serve in EEG?

Detects combined electrical activity of neurons Signup and view all the answers

For what purposes is EEG used aside from research?

Diagnosing epilepsy or brain tumors Signup and view all the answers

What are some advanced microscopes mentioned apart from the scanning electron microscope?

Confocal laser scanning microscope and two-photon microscope Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

To stimulate brain tissue using a magnetic coil Signup and view all the answers

Which brain imaging technique is the first modern medical imaging method?

Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) Signup and view all the answers

What does Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) detect to measure brain activity?

Oxygen levels in active neural structures Signup and view all the answers

Which brain imaging technique involves injecting a radioactive substance into the bloodstream?

Positron emission tomography (PET) Signup and view all the answers

Which component is typically NOT part of research ethics dashboards?

Ethical guidelines Signup and view all the answers

In which country is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) notably used for treating resistant depression?

Czech Republic Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theory and Tentativeness

Scientific theories integrate and interpret diverse observations to explain a phenomenon, rising from several tested hypotheses.
Hypotheses are often referred to as "educated guesses".

Plagiarism and Fabrication

Plagiarism is the theft of another's work or ideas, denying individual credit, and failing to give appropriate citations or references.
Fabrication is more serious than plagiarism, basically involved in faking.

Human Research

The key focus of human research is protecting the welfare of participants, ensuring they leave in the same mental state as when they arrived.
General research steps include:
- Explaining the nature of the research
- Obtaining informed consent (voluntary agreement with participation after receiving information about risks, discomfort, or other adverse effects)
- Conducting an experiment or correlational study
- Avoiding deception (failing to tell participants the exact purpose)

Research Ethics

Ethics in research have developed over the years, with past experiments not being performed today due to ethical issues.
Each study must be approved by an ethical committee, which oversees the study during its duration.

Research Techniques

The Golgi Stain

Outlines the whole cell, including dendritic spines
Used to characterize cell type
Only stains a small number of neurons

Myelin Stains

Taken up by the fatty myelin that wraps and insulates axons
Identifies neural pathways

Nissl Stain

Outlines all cell bodies, as the dye is attracted to RNA in the nucleus
Used to measure cell body size and density of cells

Autoradiography

Makes neurons stand out visibly, similar to staining
Reveals which neurons are active, allowing correlation with behavior

Immunocystochemistry

Uses antibodies attached to a dye to identify cellular components, including receptors, neurotransmitters, and enzymes

Transmission Electron Microscope

Passes a beam of electrons through a thin slice of tissue
Different parts of the tissue block or pass electrons to different degrees, producing an image

Introduction to Neuroscience

Research Methods

Naturalistic observation: observation in a natural setting
Case study: following one specific patient and their progress
Survey: questionnaire evaluating different aspects of behavior
Experiment: controlling one variable and observing the effect on the other

Experimental vs. Correlational Studies

Experiment: a study in which a researcher manipulates a condition (independent variable) expected to produce a change in behavior (dependent variable)
Correlational study: a study in which a researcher does not control an independent variable but observes whether two variables are related to each other

Brain Imaging Techniques

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan)

Produces a series of X-rays taken from different angles
Computer combines the series of two-dimensional horizontal cross sections, allowing for 3D images of the entire organ

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Measures the radio-frequency waves emitted by the nuclei of hydrogen atoms when subjected to a strong magnetic field

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Measures brain activity by detecting the increase in oxygen levels in active neural structures

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Involves injecting a radioactive substance into the bloodstream, which is taken up by parts of the brain according to how active they are

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Description

Understand the fundamentals of scientific theories, hypotheses, and the importance of research ethics, including plagiarism and fabrication