Unit 3 - Topic 2 - Experimentation - Section D - Reliability Flashcards
What can variation in an experimental results be due to
Variation in experimental results may be due to the reliability of measurement methods and/or inherent variation in the specimens
What is reliability
The precision and accuracy of repeated measurements
How can the reliability of measuring instruments or produces be determined
By repeated measurements or readings of an individual datum point.
What does the variation observed indicate
The variation observed indicates the precision of the measurement instrument or procedure but not necessarily its accuracy
How can the natural variation in a biological material be determined
The natural variation in the biological material being used can be determined by measuring a sample of individuals from the population
What does the mean indicate
The mean of these repeated measurements will give an indication of the true value being measured
What is the range of values measured
The range of values is a measure of the extent of variation in the results
What does a narrow range indicate
If there is a narrow range then the variation is low
Why should independent replication be carried out
Independent replication should be carried out to produce independent data sets
When can overall results be considered
Overall results can only be considered reliable if they can be achieved consistently.
Why should independent data sets be compared
These independent data sets should be
compared to determine the reliability of the
results
