Science And The Scientific Method

Front 1

Science

Back 1

A process for solving problems and answering questions about natural events.

Front 2

Scientific Method

Back 2

Systematic and orderly set of steps used to answer questions or solve problems.

Front 3

Cause and Effect

Back 3

Situation in which an even directly caused a subsequent event.

Front 4

What should scientists do to distinguish two different situations?

Back 4

- Those that show cause and effect.

- Those that show correlation.

Front 5

Correlation

Back 5

Situation where events appear to be related but may not necessarily be.

Front 6

What are the key components to the scientific method?

Back 6

- Careful observation

- The construction and testing of hypotheses

- Openness to new ideas and information

- Willingness to submit ones ideas to the scrutiny of others

Front 7

Observations

Back 7

Using our senses or extensions of our senses to record an event. Scientists must use careful thoughtful recognition of an event. They also must be done in a way that is report-able to others.

Front 8

What kind of questions do scientists ask about an event?

Back 8

- What causes it to happen?

- How does it happen?

- Will the event happen again?

- Can I control the event?

Front 9

How to format a question the right way

Back 9

- The way the question is asked will determine how it is answered.

- Questions that are too broad or complex may be impossible to answer.

- Questions that are too simple may not give meaningful answers.

Front 10

Hypothesis

Back 10

A statement that provides a possible answer a question, or an explanation for an event that may be tested.

Front 11

What is a good hypothesis?

Back 11

- Must be logical

- Must account for all relevant information currently available

- Must allow a person to predict future events relating to the question being asked

- Must be testable

Front 12

Experiment

Back 12

A recreation of an event or occurrence that allows a scientist to test a hypothesis to see if it is supported or disproved.

Front 13

Variables

Back 13

Separate factors that may be at work influencing the event.

Front 14

Controlled experiment

Back 14

A situation set up to test the hypothesis where only one variable is present. Usually set up into two groups of events: Control group and experimental group

Front 15

Control group

Back 15

The group where there is no manipulation of the variable.

Front 16

Experimental group

Back 16

The group in which the variable is manipulated.

Front 17

Independent variable

Back 17

The variable that is manipulated by the scientist. This variable is changed to test the event being observed.

Front 18

Dependent variable

Back 18

The even being observed or tested. The results of the experiment is more scientifically convincing if: only one variable is involved, it has been repeated many times, the results are consistent

Front 19

Scientific Theory

Back 19

A widely accepted plausible general statement about fundamental concepts in science that explain why things happen.

Front 20

Scientific Law

Back 20

A uniform or constant fact of nature that describes what happens in nature.

Front 21

Two types of reasonings

Back 21

Induction and Deduction

Front 22

Science should be conducted...

Back 22

to open to scrutiny and question by other scientists.

Front 23

Pseudoscience

Back 23

A deceptive practice that uses the appearance of language of science to convince, confuse, or mislead people into thinking that something has scientific merit. Usually seen in claims of psychic or paranormal events or practitioners.