U3 Scientific enquiry: Definitions of terms

Question 1

What is the independent variable?

Answer 1

The variable being changed by the experimenter while other variables are kept the same

Question 2

What is the dependent variable?

Answer 2

The variable that is measured and changes as a result of the independent variable

Question 3

What are controlled variables?

Answer 3

A variable that is a factor that can change, but is kept the same to ensure the experiment is a fair test

Question 4

What are uncontrolled variables?

Answer 4

Variables that are factors that can’t be kept the same, and therefore need their impact to be minimised

Question 5

What is a placebo?

Answer 5

A fake substance that has the same properties as the actual substance but doesn’t have the active ingredient

Question 6

Why are placebos used?

Answer 6

To ensure the effects of the real substance aren’t just psychosomatic (the mind having an effect on the body)

Question 7

What is a blind experiment?

Answer 7

When the participant doesn’t know if they are in the control or experimental group, but the experimenter does

Question 8

What is a double blind experiment?

Answer 8

When both the participant and experimenter don’t know if the participant is in the control or experimental group

Question 9

Why are double binds used in experiments?

Answer 9

• To avoid unintentional bias from the experimenter that knows if the participant is in the control or experimental group
• Creates more reliable data

Question 10

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 10

A testable prediction showing the relationship between an independent and dependent variable

Question 11

What is a quantitative investigation?

Answer 11

An investigation that involves numerical measurements, and therefore can result in statistical analysis

Question 12

What is a qualitative investigation?

Answer 12

An investigation that involves observations that don’t include numbers or measurements

Question 13

What is precision?

Answer 13

The degree to which measurements or observations of a variable are consistent and free from random error

Question 14

What is reliability?

Answer 14

The degree to which a measure consistently produces the same results over time and across different researchers or research settings

Question 15

What is repetition?

Answer 15

The action of doing an experiment many times using the same equipment to achieve reliability

Question 16

What is replication?

Answer 16

The process of conducting a study again, using the same methods and procedures, in order to test the validity of the original findings

Question 17

What is accuracy?

Answer 17

The degree to which measurements or observations reflect the true value of the variable being studied

Question 18

What is validity?

Answer 18

The degree to which a study measures what it is intended to measure

Question 19

What are ethics?

Answer 19

The moral principals and practices that govern the conduct of an investigation

Question 20

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Answer 20

1. Identify a research question
2. Formulating a hypothesis
3. Design and conduct an experiment
4. Analyse results
5. Draw conclusions
6. Communicate findings