Scientific Principles

What are Facts?

• are much broader explanations of various observations that have been tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation

• are observations that we make about the world

• describe a constant phenomenon of nature, but do not explain it

• are proposed, testable explanations of observations that can serve as a basis for experimentation

What is Pseudoscience?

• —practices or beliefs that appear or claim to be scientific, but does not follow scientific principles.

• —a process that seeks to understand the natural and social world through the collection and analysis of evidence.

• —broad explanations of various observations that have been tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.

• information gathered by noticing specific details of a phenomenon

Check all common characteristics of pseudoscientific claims.

• The claim is not repeatable or reproducible

• The claim has been tested and peer reviewed

• —The claim has no experimental evidence.

• —No alternative explanations for the claim have been tested.

A pseudoscientific —theory from the 4th century B.C. that life can arise from non-living matter.

• Spontaneous Generation

• Alchemy

• Four Elements Theory

• Astrology

What Doctor helped to eradicate smallpox?

• Dr. Jonas Salk

• Dr. Spock

• Dr. Phil

• Dr. Edward Jenner

What is a hypothesis?

• —A testable explanation or prediction based on the observation and the scientist’s prior knowledge

• —The new factor or condition that is to be introduced and tested

• —Information gathered by noticing specific details of a phenomenon

• Describe a constant phenomenon of nature, but do not explain it

What is an independent variable?

• Variables that are kept constant throughout the experiment

• Variable that will be measured and recorded as data

• —The factor or condition that is to be introduced and tested.

What is a dependent variable?

• Variables that are kept constant throughout the experiment

• Variable that will be measured and recorded as data

• —The factor or condition that is to be introduced and tested.

What is a control?

• Variables that are kept constant throughout the experiment

• Variable that will be measured and recorded as data

• —The factor or condition that is to be introduced and tested.

What is an advantage of performing a natural experiment?

• —experiments take place in a

  more accurate, realistic

  environment

• natural phenomena are often

  very difficult to find

• experimental subjects do not know which is the control and which is the experimental group

• statistical variables that are related in a way that would not be expected by chance alone