The Scientific Method Quiz
11 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the scientific method?

Scientists try to explain things.

What is the second step in the scientific method?

They then come up with a hypothesis

Peer-review is where scientists check results and scientific explanations to make sure they're 'scientific' before they're published.

True (A)

What helps to detect false claims?

<p>Peer-review</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

<p>A hypothesis hasn't been tested many times yet, while a theory has survived this 'trial by evidence' for many years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Theories are never accepted as a fact.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a representational model?

<p>A representational model is a simplified description or picture of what's going on in real life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a computational model?

<p>Computational models use computers to make simulations</p> Signup and view all the answers

All models have limitations.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first person to realize that theories needed to be based on observations?

<p>Aristotle</p> Signup and view all the answers

Roger Bacon was the first person to introduce the ideas of creating a hypothesis, testing it, and repeating your work to check your results.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Hypothesis

A possible explanation for an observation, often used as the starting point for scientific investigations.

Peer Review

The process of scientists examining each other's work to ensure accuracy and rigor.

Theory

A well-supported explanation of a natural phenomenon, backed by extensive scientific evidence.

Representational Model

A simplified representation of a real-world phenomenon used for explanation and prediction.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Computational Model

A computer program that simulates complex processes using mathematical equations, often used to study things like climate change.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Risk

The potential for a hazard to cause harm.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hazard

Something that could potentially cause harm.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mean

The average of a set of data values.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mode

The value that appears most frequently in a dataset.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Median

The middle value in a sorted dataset. To find it, arrange the data in order from least to greatest and select the middle value.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Significant Figures

The first non-zero digit in a number and any digits that follow it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Bar Chart

A chart used to represent data where the independent variable is categorical or discrete.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Independent Variable

The variable you change in an experiment to see its effect on another variable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dependent Variable

The variable you measure in an experiment to observe the effect of changes in the independent variable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Control Variables

Variables that are kept constant during an experiment to ensure a fair test.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Control Experiment

An experiment conducted under the same conditions as the main investigation but without any changes to the independent variable, serving as a baseline for comparison.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sample Size

The size of a group used in a study, representing a larger population.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sensitivity

The ability of a measuring instrument to detect small changes in a measured quantity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Resolution

The smallest change that a measuring instrument can detect.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Calibration

The process of adjusting a measuring instrument to provide accurate readings by comparing it to a known standard.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Random Errors

Errors in measurement that are random and unpredictable, occurring due to factors like human error.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Systematic Errors

Errors in measurement that consistently affect the results in the same direction, often due to faulty equipment or incorrect procedures.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Anomalous Result

A data point that deviates significantly from other data points in a set, often due to an error in measurement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Scientific Communication

The way in which information about scientific discoveries is communicated to the public.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Bias

The presentation of scientific evidence in a way that favors a particular point of view.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Issues Created by Science

The problems or concerns created by scientific developments, including economic, personal, social, and environmental impacts.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ethics

The branch of philosophy that deals with questions of right and wrong, morality, and ethics.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Positive Correlation

The relationship between variables where both variables increase together.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Inverse Correlation

The relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other decreases.

Signup and view all the flashcards

No Correlation

A situation where there is no relationship between two variables.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

The Scientific Method

  • Scientists come up with hypotheses to explain things they don't understand
  • Hypotheses are possible explanations for observations
  • Scientists test hypotheses by making predictions, gathering evidence, and checking if the evidence matches the predictions
  • If evidence from experiments doesn't match the prediction, the hypothesis is adjusted
  • Peer review is the process where scientists share their findings with other scientists for review and critique to see if the experiments were done correctly or not and if their findings are reproducible

Several Scientists Will Test a Hypothesis

  • Normally, scientists share their findings in peer-reviewed journals or at conferences
  • Peer review is where other scientists check results and scientific explanations to make sure the experiments have been done in a sensible way
  • It helps scientists detect false claims, but it doesn't mean that findings are not wrong
  • Other scientists can try to reproduce experiments to check the results
  • If all the experiments reproduce the hypothesis, then the hypothesis is considered true
  • If a scientist doesn't reproduce the results, the hypothesis may be modified or scrapped altogether
  • Accepted hypotheses are often referred to as theories (hypotheses that have survived many tests over the years and survived)
  • Theories never become totally indisputable facts. If new evidence comes along that can't be explained using the existing theory, then the hypothesis may need to start all over again

Theories Can Involve Different Types of Models

  • A representation model is a simplified description or picture of what's going on in real life.
  • It can be used to explain observed phenomena, like the Bohr model of an atom.
  • Computational models use computers to make simulations of complex real-life processes
  • All models have limitations on what they can explain or predict. An example is the Big Bang model, which cannot explain events that happened before the Big Bang.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Test your understanding of the scientific method and its key components, such as hypotheses, experimental predictions, and peer review. This quiz will challenge your knowledge of how scientists formulate and test their ideas in pursuit of scientific understanding. Explore the vital processes that ensure the validity of scientific claims.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser