The Scientific Method

This sections isn't about how to 'do' science - but it does show you the way most scientists work.

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Scientists try to explain things. How do they do this?
1) Observe something not understood. 2) Hypothesis. 3) Test whether hypothesis is right. 4) Share findings in peer-reviewed journals, or at conferences. 5) Other scientists base own predictions + carry out their own experiments to check the results.
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What is a hypothesis?
A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations.
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How do scientists test whether a hypothesis is true?
They make a prediction based on the hypothesis + test it by gathering evidence, i.e. data, from investigations.If evidence from experiments backs up a prediction, they're closer to finding out if its true.
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What does peer-review mean?
Where other scientists check results and scientific explainations to make sure the experiments have been done in a sensible way (are 'scientific) before they're published.
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What does peer-reviewing help to detect?
False claims.
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If a hypothesis has been peer-reviewed and published, does it mean that they're correct? What does it mean?
No, they're not wrong in any obvious way.
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When do scientists start to think a hypothesis is true?
When all the experiments in the world back it up.
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What happens when a scientist does an experiment that doesn't fit with the hypothesis (+ other scientists can reproduce the results)?
They hypothesis may need to be modified or scrapped altogether.
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If all evidence support a hypothesis its accepted for now. Why do therios never become totally indisputable facts??
If there's new evidence that can't be expalined using the exising theory, then the hypotheis and testing is likely to start again.
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What are accepted hypothesis often refered to as?
Theories.
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Our currently accepted theories are the ones that have survived this 'trail by evidence'. What does this mean?
They've been tested many times over the years and survived.
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How has the scientific method been developed over time?
Aristotle (Greek philosopher) was 1st to realise that theories need to be based on observations. Muslim scholars then introduced the ideas of creating a hypothesis, testing it, and repeating work to check results.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is a hypothesis?

Back

A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations.

Card 3

Front

How do scientists test whether a hypothesis is true?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What does peer-review mean?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What does peer-reviewing help to detect?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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