AP Biology: Experimental Design

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What is an independent variable in an experiment?

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The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

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What is a dependent variable in an experiment?

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The dependent variable is the factor that is measured or observed in an experiment, which is affected by changes in the independent variable.

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What is a hypothesis?

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A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts the relationship between variables in an experiment.

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What is an alternative hypothesis?

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An alternative hypothesis suggests a potential outcome or result that an investigator expects, differing from the null hypothesis.

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What is a null hypothesis?

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A null hypothesis states that there is no effect or no difference between groups in an experiment.

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What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

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The control group serves as a baseline to compare the effects of the independent variable, ensuring that results are due to the treatment.

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What does it mean to reject the null hypothesis?

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Rejecting the null hypothesis means that the experimental results provide sufficient evidence to support the alternative hypothesis.

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What is the significance of replication in experiments?

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Replication increases the reliability of results by ensuring that findings are consistent across multiple trials.

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What is the role of a variable in experimental design?

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Variables are factors that can change in an experiment, and understanding their roles is crucial for determining cause-and-effect relationships.

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What is a treatment group in an experiment?

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The treatment group is the group that receives the experimental treatment or intervention being tested.