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BIOL 107 Chapter 1 - Coggle Diagram
BIOL 107
Chapter 1
Scientific hypotheses are based on
observations
, not on
gut feelings
.
Each hypothesis leads to several testable
predictions
.
The good scientist won't just
accept the hypothesis
based on one or 2 experiments
If the results of your
experiments
support your hypothesis, you can
test more predictions
.
Scientific Theory
If a hypothesis is tested again & again by many independent researchers & it is capable of explaining a wide range of observations, it may become a
scientific theory
Derived from rigorous testing by a large community of scientists
Theories
cannot
become a law
Before experimental findings can be published, it must be sent to other scientists in the field for
peer review
Other scientists will check our methods, make sure we've performed well-controlled experiments that test one variable, minimize bias, and use sound statistical analysis
If they find errors in the methods or statistics, then it's back to the beginning
If it looks good to them, our findings will be published
Primary Source
Was written by the researchers who performed the experiments
Shows original data
Was peer-reviewed
Secondary Source
A summary of the study written by someone other than the original researchers
A news feed, blog, video, Wikipedia
An interview with the researchers
Basic Science and Model Organisms
Model Organisms
Organisms whose biology are similar to ours in the respect that we're interested in
Model organisms are used when it's unethical to test something on humans
Ideal model organism depends on the question that needs to be answered
If even one experiment does not support the hypothesis, the good scientist will
reject the hypothesis
.
Scientific Hypothesis
Based on observations & previous knowledge
Proposes an explanation
Is testable
If there is no way to disprove it, it is not a scientific hypothesis
Hypotheses can be used to explain a correlation
Correlation
Observed relationship
The Good Experiment
Testing one variable
Need to make sure we are testing ONLY 1 variable
Independent Variable
Factor you manipulate
The
larger
your sample size, the less likely it is that any difference between groups is due to random variation
Keep the variable of interest constant in a
control group
, and alter it in the
experimental treatment
Deductive Reasoning
Applies general principles to predict specific results
Inductive Reasoning
Uses specific observations to construct general scientific principles
(Leads to generalizations that can be tested)
A reproducible set of observations can become a law