Ch 1 Key Science skills Flashcards
key science skills (KSSs)
The set of capabilities that VCE Biology students must learn to design, conduct, analyse, and report valid experiments.
opinion
The personal belief or viewpoint of an individual which typically has not been verified as fact.
controlled experiment
An investigation into the effect of
an independent variable on a dependent variable, while keeping all other factors constant.
reliable
Describes an experiment, tool, or measurement that produces similar results when repeated and reproduced.
bias
An inclination to favour a particular position or outcome.
error
Differences between observed values and the true value.
hypothesis
A testable statement that describes how experimenters expect the dependent variable
to change as the independent variable changes.
research question
A testable, achievable, and specific question that an investigation sets out to answer.
aim
The objective of an investigation or experiment
dependent variable (DV)
The factor/s measured in the experiment that are changed when the IV is manipulated.
independent variable (IV)
The factor/s that is/are manipulated in an experiment.
controlled variable
A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment. Also known as a constant variable.
uncontrolled variable
A factor that is not kept constant or accounted for throughout the experiment. Also known as an extraneous variable.
methodology
The strategy or overarching framework followed in a scientific investigation.
method
The steps followed in a scientific investigation.
repeatable
An experiment/ measurement in which scientists, using the methods they designed, can obtain the same result multiple times.
reproducible
An experiment/ measurement in which a group of scientists, using methods designed by others, can obtain the same results as another group’s experiment.
valid
A measurement or experiment that actually tests what it claims to be testing
experimental group
A group of individuals/samples in which the independent variable is manipulated. Also known as the treatment group.
control group
A group of individuals/samples that are not exposed to the independent variable. Also known as an experimental control, control treatment, or the control.
placebo
A substance that has no active ingredients or side effects.
precise
Two or more measurements that closely align with each other.
replicates
Multiple measurements that are exposed to the same level of the IV, are very close in value, and are close to the ‘true’ value of the quantity being measured.
random error
Variation in results caused by uncontrollable conditions between replicates, resulting in a less precise spread of readings. Can be reduced using more replicates or refining the measurement process.
accurate
How close a measurement is to the true value.
true value
The value that would be obtained by a perfect measurement without the influence of errors.
personal error
Mistakes or miscalculations due to human fault. Can be eliminated by performing the experiment again correctly.
systematic error
Errors which cause results to differ by a consistent amount each time, typically due to faulty equipment or calibration, resulting in a less accurate result. Can be reduced by calibrating and maintaining instruments.
uncertainty
A quantification of the error associated with a measurement, often represented by the symbol ‘±’ after a reading.
ethics
A field of knowledge that helps individuals exercise moral judgment and determine what is right and wrong.
primary data
Results collected from experiments, interviews, or surveys undertaken by the researcher.
raw data
Results that have not been processed, manipulated, or formatted for use.
transformed data
Results that have been converted from their raw format into a more visually comprehensible format that is easier to analyse.
secondary data
Results from sources other than the researcher’s own investigations.
numerical variable
A factor that is measured as a number such as height, count of population, and age
Continuous = line graph or scatter plot
Discrete = bar graph
categorical variable
A factor that is qualitative, typically describing a characteristic such as gender, birth order (1st, 2nd, 3rd), or nationality
Ordinal/Nominal = bar chart or pie chart
correlation
When there is a relationship between two variables.
causation
When change in one variable leads to reliable change in another.
bioethics
The study of ethical issues pertaining to biology and medicine.
bioethical approach
A decision– making framework that helps guide ethical behaviour.
ethical concept
A specific perspective or lens used to consider multiple angles of an ethical dilemma.
consequences–based approach
An approach to bioethics that aims to maximise positive outcomes while minimising negative outcomes.
duty– and/or rule–based approach
An approach to bioethics that promotes the responsibility of the agent above all else, and places importance on the duty of each individual.
virtues–based approach
An approach to bioethics that emphasises the individual goodness of the agent, and promotes acting in accordance with the values of a ‘moral’ person, such as honesty and compassion.
integrity
An ethical concept that encourages a full commitment to knowledge and understanding as well as the honest reporting of all sources of information and results.
justice
An ethical concept that encourages fair consideration of competing claims, and ensures that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action.
beneficence
An ethical concept that seeks to maximise benefits when taking a particular position or course of action.
non–maleficence
An ethical concept that discourages causing harm – or when harm is unavoidable, ensuring that the harm is not disproportionate to the benefits from any position or course of action.
respect
An ethical concept that encourages the acknowledgment of the intrinsic value of living things, and considers the welfare, beliefs, customs, and cultural heritage of both the individual and the collective.
