LS15 MIDTERM - UCLA Phelan
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_5hvxy8
1. 1. Scientific thinking, what is it for? and be able to use it:
2. scientific thinking: - empirical (based on observations and experiences not
solely logic)
- self correcting
- observation
- hypotheses
- predictions
- experiments
- conclusions (modify hypotheses, and continue the process)
3. scientific method: - organized
- empirical
- methodical
- structured way of finding information about observable events in nature
- lets us reject hypotheses about how the world works
4. steps of the scientific method: 1. make observations
2. formulate hypotheses - is it testable? refutable?
3. make a prediction
4. conduct an experiment - control all variables BUT one, randomized, double blind
5. analyze results, draw a conclusion (if evidence disproves hypothesis, construct a
new hypothesis)
6. report results
5. is the scientific method flexible?: yes! it doesn't have to be step by step
6. what does a "critical experiment" do: put a hypothesis to the test, the results
can decisively determine whether a hypothesis is correct
7. class examples of scientific method: - does it rain more on weekends?
- real vs artificial vanilla
- "maze bright" vs "maze dull" rats
8. class example: does it rain more on weekends?: - find average Monday and
Saturday rainfall; rains 22% more on Saturdays
- hypothesis: particular matter from car exhaust builds up during the week leading
to cloud formation and then rain on the weekends
- experiment: collect data from somewhere with no cars (ocean)
- results: there is equal rainfall on each day in the ocean, PROVING that car exhaust
affects the trend of more rain on weekends
9. class example: real vs artificial vanilla in chocolate chip cookies: - Phelan
baked batches of cookies with real vanilla and with artificial vanilla
- asked wife which one tasted better
- concluded that there was no difference in taste between the types of vanilla used
, LS15 MIDTERM - UCLA Phelan
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_5hvxy8
10. class example: is maze running genetic in mice?: - have "maze dull" and
"maze bright" mice
- with each generation, test all mice for maze learning ability and breed only the top
20% and bottom 20%
- observe new generations
- conclusion: over time, the extremes got more and more exaggerated
- maze running is not genetic but the allele for fear is in mice; less fear = solve maze
quicker, more fear = solve maze slower
11. how to increase experiment's power: - randomize subjects
- control your study
- use a double-blind design
R.C.D. - rat's cause diseases
12. what is the cost-benefit analysis of having a more controlled experiment?-
: it's a poorer model of the situation of interest
13. 2. How does a hypothesis differ from a theory or prediction?: - a prediction
only offers a guess of what will happen in the future
- a theory is a widely accepted idea that has serious evidence behind it, backing it
up; ex: theory of evolution
- a hypothesis is a proposed explanation for observed phenomena
- a hypothesis must generate testable predictions
- theories are generally broader than hypotheses
14. null hypothesis: - a hypothesis that states a lack of relationship between 2
factors
- easy to disprove
ex: Echinacea has NO effect on the likelihood of catching the common cold or the
duration of the symptoms of a cold
15. is it possible to prove a hypothesis is absolutely and permanently true?: no
it's impossible
16. 3. What does it mean to control an experiment?: - make sure there are no
underlying differenced between the experimental groups
- change only ONE variable at a time
- treat all subject the same except for the one deviation which would not get the
treatment and be the control group
17. treatments: an experimental condition applied to research subjects
18. experimental group: subject group exposed to the treatment
19. control group: subject group EXACTLY like the experimental group except they
are NOT exposed to the treatment
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_5hvxy8
1. 1. Scientific thinking, what is it for? and be able to use it:
2. scientific thinking: - empirical (based on observations and experiences not
solely logic)
- self correcting
- observation
- hypotheses
- predictions
- experiments
- conclusions (modify hypotheses, and continue the process)
3. scientific method: - organized
- empirical
- methodical
- structured way of finding information about observable events in nature
- lets us reject hypotheses about how the world works
4. steps of the scientific method: 1. make observations
2. formulate hypotheses - is it testable? refutable?
3. make a prediction
4. conduct an experiment - control all variables BUT one, randomized, double blind
5. analyze results, draw a conclusion (if evidence disproves hypothesis, construct a
new hypothesis)
6. report results
5. is the scientific method flexible?: yes! it doesn't have to be step by step
6. what does a "critical experiment" do: put a hypothesis to the test, the results
can decisively determine whether a hypothesis is correct
7. class examples of scientific method: - does it rain more on weekends?
- real vs artificial vanilla
- "maze bright" vs "maze dull" rats
8. class example: does it rain more on weekends?: - find average Monday and
Saturday rainfall; rains 22% more on Saturdays
- hypothesis: particular matter from car exhaust builds up during the week leading
to cloud formation and then rain on the weekends
- experiment: collect data from somewhere with no cars (ocean)
- results: there is equal rainfall on each day in the ocean, PROVING that car exhaust
affects the trend of more rain on weekends
9. class example: real vs artificial vanilla in chocolate chip cookies: - Phelan
baked batches of cookies with real vanilla and with artificial vanilla
- asked wife which one tasted better
- concluded that there was no difference in taste between the types of vanilla used
, LS15 MIDTERM - UCLA Phelan
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_5hvxy8
10. class example: is maze running genetic in mice?: - have "maze dull" and
"maze bright" mice
- with each generation, test all mice for maze learning ability and breed only the top
20% and bottom 20%
- observe new generations
- conclusion: over time, the extremes got more and more exaggerated
- maze running is not genetic but the allele for fear is in mice; less fear = solve maze
quicker, more fear = solve maze slower
11. how to increase experiment's power: - randomize subjects
- control your study
- use a double-blind design
R.C.D. - rat's cause diseases
12. what is the cost-benefit analysis of having a more controlled experiment?-
: it's a poorer model of the situation of interest
13. 2. How does a hypothesis differ from a theory or prediction?: - a prediction
only offers a guess of what will happen in the future
- a theory is a widely accepted idea that has serious evidence behind it, backing it
up; ex: theory of evolution
- a hypothesis is a proposed explanation for observed phenomena
- a hypothesis must generate testable predictions
- theories are generally broader than hypotheses
14. null hypothesis: - a hypothesis that states a lack of relationship between 2
factors
- easy to disprove
ex: Echinacea has NO effect on the likelihood of catching the common cold or the
duration of the symptoms of a cold
15. is it possible to prove a hypothesis is absolutely and permanently true?: no
it's impossible
16. 3. What does it mean to control an experiment?: - make sure there are no
underlying differenced between the experimental groups
- change only ONE variable at a time
- treat all subject the same except for the one deviation which would not get the
treatment and be the control group
17. treatments: an experimental condition applied to research subjects
18. experimental group: subject group exposed to the treatment
19. control group: subject group EXACTLY like the experimental group except they
are NOT exposed to the treatment
