BIOL 1500 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1.1-1.3: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Randomized Controlled Trial, Observer-Expectancy Effect
14 Jan 2015
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Document Summary
Scientific method: a systematic method of research consisting of putting a hypotheses to a test designed to disprove it. Hypotheses: tentative explanation for an observation that requires testing to validate. Testable: possible to evaluate through observations of the measureable universe. Supernatural: not constrained by the laws of nature. Scientific theory: body of scientifically accepted general principles that explain natural phenomena. Inductive reasoning: a logical process that argues from specific instances to a general conclusion. Deductive reasoning: making a prediction about the outcome of a test. (if/then statements) Prediction: result expected from a particular test of a hypothesis if the hypothesis were true. Alternative hypotheses: factor other than the testes hypothesis that may explain observations. Experiments: contrived situation designed to test specific hypotheses. Data: information collected by scientists during hypothesis testing. Variables: a factor that varies in a population over time. Independent variable: a factor whose value influences the value of the dependent variable, but is not influenced by it.
