AOK Natural Sciences Key Terms and
Concepts
Anomaly - ANSAn observation that seems to contradict a generally accepted Theory.
Causation - ANSA cause-effect relationship
Conjecture - ANSAn imaginative hypothesis
Correlations - ANSWhen two events or phenomena are linked only because they share a third
factor
Deductive - ANSGeneral to specific. Based on reason and logical analysis of available facts
Empirical - ANSknowledge based on experience rather than thoery or pure logic; sees
experience as the main source of knowledge
Falsification - ANSTo disprove; any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something
Inductive - ANSPArticular to general. The scientific method is inductive
Logic - ANSFormal reasoning, or reasoning that follows strict rules
Logical Fallacy - ANSAn idea or assertion that uses flawed reason to arrive at its conclusion.
Objectivity - ANSThe idea that scientists must aspire to eliminate personal biases, a priori
commitments, emotional involvement, etc
Paradigm - ANSA worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific
subject
Occam's Razor - ANSWhen two competiting theories that make exacting the same predictions,
but the simpler theory is to be preferred.
Qualititative data - ANSanything that gives us subjective information that may involve values
and opinions about something.
quantitative data - ANSanything that gives us objective, value-free information about something
Rationalist - ANSsomeone who sees reason as the main source of knowledge
Concepts
Anomaly - ANSAn observation that seems to contradict a generally accepted Theory.
Causation - ANSA cause-effect relationship
Conjecture - ANSAn imaginative hypothesis
Correlations - ANSWhen two events or phenomena are linked only because they share a third
factor
Deductive - ANSGeneral to specific. Based on reason and logical analysis of available facts
Empirical - ANSknowledge based on experience rather than thoery or pure logic; sees
experience as the main source of knowledge
Falsification - ANSTo disprove; any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something
Inductive - ANSPArticular to general. The scientific method is inductive
Logic - ANSFormal reasoning, or reasoning that follows strict rules
Logical Fallacy - ANSAn idea or assertion that uses flawed reason to arrive at its conclusion.
Objectivity - ANSThe idea that scientists must aspire to eliminate personal biases, a priori
commitments, emotional involvement, etc
Paradigm - ANSA worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific
subject
Occam's Razor - ANSWhen two competiting theories that make exacting the same predictions,
but the simpler theory is to be preferred.
Qualititative data - ANSanything that gives us subjective information that may involve values
and opinions about something.
quantitative data - ANSanything that gives us objective, value-free information about something
Rationalist - ANSsomeone who sees reason as the main source of knowledge
