Summary Class notes: The Science of Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology

Class Notes:
The Science of Physiology
Scientific Method

SCIENTIFIC METHODS: used to investigate Physiology. Consists of:
1. Observations
2. Hypothesis formation
3. Experiments to test hypothesis
4. Results from the Experiments (data)
5. Conclusion drawn from results
6. Reports of experimental findings
1. OBSERVATION: a phenomenon that is experienced or witnessed with manipuation
Includes:
DIRECT OBSERVATION: made using senses
INDIRECT OBSERVATION:made using tools
REVIEW LITERATURE: made while reading past or present literature
2. HYPOTHESIS: tentative, testable answer to a question formed, from observations

NULL HYPOTHESIS: proposes no significant statistical difference

ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS: predicts the opposite of the null
hypothesis
3. EXPERIMENTS: tests the hypothesis Includes:

EXPERIMENTAL (INDEPENDENT) VARIABLE: element being tested

DEPENDENT VARIABLE: results or changes observed

TREATMENT GROUP: group subjected to experimental variable

CONTROL GROUP: group subjected to the same conditions of
treatment except for the experimental
variable
RANDOM ASSIGNMENT: subjects get randomly assigned to
treatment and control groups