LIFESCI 2A03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Null Hypothesis, Ice Cream Headache, Deductive Reasoning
16 Sep 2013
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Document Summary
A scientific hypothesis a proposal that makes a prediction; application of the scientific method allows one to test the hypothesis. Hypotheses inevitably lead to predictions about the result of intervention. Predictions can be verified or refuted by analyzing the data. The formulation and testing of hypotheses is the basis of any scientific or rational inquiry. Inductive logic (induction) inductive generalizations summarize a set of observations and serve to provide a prediction about unseen events; singularity to generality: eg/ this ice is cold; therefore all ice is cold. Then (specific instance you are testing) The fact that this deductive syllogism lead to predictions means that hypotheses can be tested. If you obtain a false prediction, the hypothesis must also be false if the result is inconsistent with the prediction, you must reject the hypothesis. Eg/ regeneration; control = newt; experimental = add chemical to speed rate of regeneration.
