0.6 Collecting data

Question 1

What is meant by “accurate” results?

Answer 1

Results that are close to the true answer

Question 2

How can you check repeatability?

Answer 2

Repeat an experiment at least 3 times and check the results are similar

Question 3

How can you check reproducibility?

Answer 3

Ask a different person to repeat an experiment, or cross-check using a set of readings using a different instrument, to see if the results are similar

Question 4

What is mean by “precise” results?

Answer 4

Results where the data values of repeated experiments are close to the mean (i.e. not spread out)

Question 5

What is meant by the “resolution” of an instrument?

Answer 5

= the smallest change that is detectable by an instrument

Question 6

What is calibration?

Answer 6

A way of ensuring that a measuring device is measuring things accurately

Question 7

What is a random error?

Answer 7

Errors due to unpredictable differences, like human error in measurement

Question 8

What is a systematic error?

Answer 8

Errors where a measurement is wrong by the same amount every time

Question 9

What is a “zero error”?

Answer 9

= a type of systematic error caused by using equipment that isn’t zeroed properly

Question 10

What is an anomalous result?

Answer 10

= a result that doesn’t fit in with the rest

Also known as an outlier.