Unit A - Studying People Scientifically (Vocab)

A possible explanation for observations, facts, or events, that may be tested, verified, or answered by further investigation.

A set of processes used when conducting investigations. These generally involve making conclusions, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions, especially when testing scientific hypothesis. • State the problem or question. • Propose an explanation, also known as the hypothesis. • Collect evidence. (Conduct an experiment) • Analyze data. • Draw conclusions, and, if necessary, revise and repeat the experiment.

A system of principles that can guide decisions in practice in terms of whether something is morally right or just.

Something that is helpful in forming a conclusion and is supported by data.

A conclusion, or the process of developing a conclusion based on evidence.

Any description or measurement gathered by the senses or instruments.

Potential outcome of any type of decision or action that involves some form of compromise, especially when each of the possible choices involves both advantages and disadvantages. When one option is chosen over another option during a decision-making process, any desired outcome that must be given up is called a trade-off.

To create a likeness, or model of a situation, system, or the like.

Is an experience that is meant to mimic, or to be like, another experience.

To temporarily increase the activity of an organism or body part by exciting a nerve or organ.

The scientific investigation of a new treatment that has shown some benefit in animal or laboratory studies, but that has not yet been proven effective in humans.

A standard of comparison for checking or verifying the results of an experiment. In the parallel experiment a single variable is changed. The results are compared to the control in order to see if the variable had any effect.

Even though, in a clinical trial, a placebo should not directly produce any medical benefits, sometimes patients will report feeling better after taking it. This is referred to as the placebo effect.

The number of observation in a sample.

Permission that is given by a patient to undergo a medical or surgical treatment or to participate in an experiment after the patient understands the risks involved.

Capable of being recreated and repeated.

The degree of response of an organism or body part to stimulation.

The only factor in a scientific experiment that is different from the control group.

Neurons in the brain and spinal cord of vertebrates that process signals arriving from sensory neurons and relay signals to motor neurons.

Nerve cells connected to a muscle or gland that receives signals from Interneurons and transfer signals to effector cells to produce a response in the muscle or gland.

Bundles of fibers containing neurons that carry signals to and from the central nervous systems.

The body organ system in animals that coordinates and controls the actions of internal organs and body systems by receiving and processing sensory information from the external environment, and coordinating short-term reactions to these stimuli.

A nerve cell that transmits messages.

Neurons that carry signals from receptors and transmit information about the environment to processing centers in the brain and spinal cord.