I have mentioned clinical trials before and this video describes the process nicely. There is also a bit of history in there too – useful if you want to know why the Brits are known as Limeys in certain parts of the world. It was produced by the European Union before the Brexit vote (I …
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Category:Scientific Method
How Science Works #2…
The theory of evolution attempts to explain the many connections between all living things on Earth. The fossil record, evidence from genes, geographical distribution and laboratory experiment all point towards living things sharing a common ancestor from about 3.5 billion years ago. Simple, self-replicating molecules may have become more complex bacteria-like organisms from which all …
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Alkali Metal Error…
For a few years now I have been showing a clip from Brainiac when discussing the reaction of alkali metals with water. I can remember as a boy watching the following clip and being delighted when a piece of caesium was dropped into the water (that bowl is called a pneumatic trough by the way). I …
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Witch Village…
Watch how this brave and wise Knight calmly applies the scientific method to determine whether or not the young woman is a witch. He helps to educate the ignorant village people at the same time! . Questions… 1. In most experiments there are various factors (variables) that need either to be controlled, altered or measured. …
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Accurate & Precise…
This post assumes that you have read That Is Like, So Unfair about what makes a fair test. When you are asked to comment on why a particular step is taken in an experiment it is tempting to answer, “To make it a fair test” without really thinking it through carefully. There are two other …
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That Is, Like, SO Unfair…
I have noticed an occasional confusion over the phrase ‘fair test’ and I am even ashamed to say that I have allowed it to appear in one of my booklets in an incorrect context. It is an important phrase so I would like to offer a brief explanation. In an experiment, it is important only …
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How Science Works #1…
In science, a hypothesis is a speculation that might explain a particular observation. This can then be tested to try and show that it is wrong. If it cannot be demonstrated to be wrong, if it explains the observed facts and if it allows accurate predictions to be made then it may be promoted to …
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Equivocation…
A fallacy of ambiguity. 1. Having science lessons with HCTR is better than nothing. 2. Nothing is better than World Peace. 3. Therefore having science lessons with HCTR is better than World Peace! Equivocation is an error (or more commonly a trick) of reasoning in which the same word is used to mean two different things within the …
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Logical Fallacies…
As a follow-up to a General Lesson I had with 8D, here is a little stuff about Logical Fallacies. This post will attempt to explain the concept (as I understand it) and later ones will focus on different specific types of fallacy. Hopefully, I will be able to include some good real-world examples with video …
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A Quick Puzzle…
…from the New York Times. You must click on the link at the end of this post, attempt the test and then come back here to leave a comment. I don’t mean ‘must’ in the sense of… You simply must try the mackerel with pickles and mullet roe at El Celler de Can Roca. Yeah, of course …
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