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Science Study Guide
Scientific Method, Principles of Science
Vocabulary
Understand and
be able to apply each of these terms.
1. Hypothesis
–
2. Theory
–
3. Pseudoscience
–
4. Observation
–
5.
Independent variable –
6.
Dependent variable –
7. Constant
–
8. Experimental
group –
9. Control
group –
10. Probability
–
11. Sample
size –
12. Bias
–
Critical Thinking
Be able to read,
analyze, and give complete answers to questions like these.
1. People
often confuse a hypothesis with a theory.
How are they different?
2.
Why is it important for scientific
studies to be published and reproducible?
3.
In class, we used astrology as an
example of pseudoscience. Explain specifically why or how it does not fit the
criteria of science.
4. Contrast
modeled and natural experiments. What
are the benefits and drawbacks of each?
5. Take each of the steps of the scientific
method and place them in correct order: experiment, form hypothesis, publish
findings, collect data, identify question, conclusion.
Read
the example of Edward Jenner’s discovery of the immunization against smallpox:
A British
physician named Edward Jenner noticed that dairymaids living in his hometown
often contracted cowpox, a nonlethal disease instead of smallpox. Dr. Jenner suspected the exposure to cowpox
was somehow granting protection against smallpox. He decided to test this by intentionally
infecting a young boy with cowpox, then exposing him to smallpox. Despite 20 inoculations, the boy never came
down with smallpox. Meanwhile, other children living nearby that had not been
exposed to cowpox were becoming infected with smallpox. Dr. Jenner reported to the Royal Society of
Medicine that exposure to cowpox had successfully granted immunity against
smallpox.
6. Identify
the following parts of the scientific method as utilized by Dr. Jenner:
Observation /
Problem –
Hypothesis –
Independent
Variable –
Dependent
Variable –
Control Group –
Experimental
Group –
Conclusion –
7.
Explain, using probability, why having a
large sample size in a study makes the results more trustworthy.
8.
What is the difference between a blind
and double-blind experiment? Which one
is more likely to minimize bias?
9.
What is the placebo effect? Give an example.
10. If
scientific fraud and bias are always detected eventually, why are they such big
problems? Use an example from class, such as the MMR / Vaccine
study published by Dr. Wakefield.
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