Science Skills

Question 1

Opinion

Answer 1

The personal belief or viewpoint of an individual which typically has not been verified as fact.

Question 2

Controlled experiment

Answer 2

An investigation into the effect of one independent variable on a dependent variable, while keeping all other factors constant.

Question 3

Reliable

Answer 3

Describes an experiment, tool, or measurement that produces similar results when repeated and reproduced.

Question 4

Bias

Answer 4

An inclination to favour a particular position or outcome.

Question 5

Error

Answer 5

Differences between observed values and true value.

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

A testable statement that describes how experimenters expect the dependent variable to change as the independent variable changes.

Question 7

Research question

Answer 7

A testable, achievable and specific question that an investigation sets out to answer.

Question 8

Testable

Answer 8

Must be able to measure the factors of Interest.

Question 9

Achievable

Answer 9

Scientist have funding, ethical approval and resources available to answer research question.

Question 10

Specific (research question)

Answer 10

Only particular individuals will be sampled at particular times and locations.

Question 11

Aim

Answer 11

Objective of an investigation or experiment.

Question 12

DV

Answer 12

The factor/s measured in an experiment that are affected by IV.

Question 13

IV

Answer 13

Factor/s that are manipulated in an experiment.

Question 14

Controlled variable

Answer 14

Factor that is kept constant during an experiment. Also known as constant variable.

Question 15

Uncontrolled variable

Answer 15

A factor that is not kept constant or accounted for throughout the experiment. Also known as extraneous variable.

Question 16

Methodology

Answer 16

The strategy or overarching framework followed in a scientific investigation.

Question 17

Method

Answer 17

The steps followed in a scientific Investigation.

Question 18

Repeatable

Answer 18

An experiment/ measurement in which scientists using the methods they designed, can obtain the same results multiple times.

Question 19

Reproducable

Answer 19

An experiment/ measurement in which a group of scientists using the methods designed by others, can obtain the same results as another groups experiment.

Question 20

Valid

Answer 20

A measurement or experiment that tests what it claims to be testing.

Question 21

Experimental group/treatment group

Answer 21

A group of individuals/ samples in which the independent variable is manipulated.

Question 22

Control group/ experiment control/the control/ control treatment

Answer 22

A group of individuals/ samples that are not exposed to the independent variable.

Question 23

Replication

Answer 23

The process of running your test/ experiment multiple times.

Question 24

Precise

Answer 24

Two or more measurements that closely align with each other.

Question 25

Replicates

Answer 25

Multiple measurements that are exposed to the same level of IV. *fact check the rest of answer from Cambridge.

Question 26

Outlier

Answer 26

A reading that varies drastically from other results.

Question 27

Random error

Answer 27

Variation in results caused by uncontrollable conditions between replicates, resulting in a less precise spread of readings. Can be reduces using more replicates or refining the measurement process.

Question 28

Accurate

Answer 28

How close measurements are to the true value.

Question 29

True value

Answer 29

Value that is obtained by a perfect measurement without the influence of errors.

Question 30

Sample

Answer 30

Subset of a larger population that is being studied.

Question 31

Representative

Answer 31

A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of a larger population.

Question 32

Unbiased

Answer 32

A sample or measurement that is unaffected by a scientists expectations.

Question 33

Personal error

Answer 33

Mistakes or miscalculations due to human fault (made by experimenter). Can be eliminated be performing the experiment again correctly. Can also get more people to make the same measurement.

Question 34

Systematic error

Answer 34

Errors which cause results to differ by a consistant amount each time, typically due to faulty equipment or calibration, resulting in less accurate results. Can be reduced by re-calibrating and maintaining Instruments, and using more reliable equipment.

Question 35

Random error

Answer 35

Errors which are caused by unpredictable variations in the measurement process and result in a spread of readings. Can me reduced by replicating the experiment, increasing sample size, refining measurement process.

Question 36

Ethics

Answer 36

A field of knowledge that helps individuals exercise moral judgment and determine what’s right and wrong.

Question 37

Primary data

Answer 37

Results collected from experiments, interviews or surveys undertaken by the researcher.

Question 38

Raw data

Answer 38

Results that have not been processed, manipulated or formatted for use.

Question 39

Transformed data

Answer 39

Results that have been converted from their raw format into a visually comprehensive format for easier analysis.

Question 40

Secondary data

Answer 40

Results from other sources, not researches own investigation.

Question 41

Numerical data (continuous and discrete)

Answer 41

Continuous - any value between a set of real numbers, decimals and fractions can be Included. E.g height Represented by - line graph or scatter plot Discrete - counted and takes particular value. No fractions. E.g count of individuals. Represented by - bar graph

Question 42

Categorical data (ordinal and nominal)

Answer 42

Ordinal - can be logically ordered. E.g size (small, medium, large). Represented by - bar graph or pie chart Nominal - data that cannot be organised in a logical sequence. E.g gender, eye colour. Represented by - bar graph or pie chart

Question 43

Anecdote

Answer 43

Evidence involving a personal account or report of a previous experiment that may provide uncertain level of support for a position.

Question 44

Causation

Answer 44

When change In one variable leads to reliable change in another.