Ch 1 Key Science skills

Question 1

key science skills (KSSs)

Answer 1

The set of capabilities that VCE Biology students must learn to design, conduct, analyse, and report valid experiments.

Question 2

opinion

Answer 2

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

Question 3

controlled experiment

Answer 3

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

Question 4

reliable

Answer 4

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

Question 5

bias

Answer 5

An inclination to favour a particular position or outcome.

Question 6

error

Answer 6

Differences between observed values and the true value.

Question 7

hypothesis

Answer 7

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

Question 8

research question

Answer 8

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

Question 9

aim

Answer 9

The objective of an investigation or experiment

Question 10

dependent variable (DV)

Answer 10

The factor/s measured in the experiment that are changed when the IV is manipulated.

Question 11

independent variable (IV)

Answer 11

The factor/s that is/are manipulated in an experiment.

Question 12

controlled variable

Answer 12

A factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment. Also known as a constant variable.

Question 13

uncontrolled variable

Answer 13

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

Question 14

methodology

Answer 14

The strategy or overarching framework followed in a scientific investigation.

Question 15

method

Answer 15

The steps followed in a scientific investigation.

Question 16

repeatable

Answer 16

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

Question 17

reproducible

Answer 17

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

Question 18

valid

Answer 18

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

Question 19

experimental group

Answer 19

A group of individuals/samples in which the independent variable is manipulated. Also known as the treatment group.

Question 20

control group

Answer 20

A group of individuals/samples that are not exposed to the independent variable. Also known as an experimental control, control treatment, or the control.

Question 21

placebo

Answer 21

A substance that has no active ingredients or side effects.

Question 22

precise

Answer 22

Two or more measurements that closely align with each other.

Question 23

replicates

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

random error

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

accurate

Answer 25

How close a measurement is to the true value.

Question 26

true value

Answer 26

The value that would be obtained by a perfect measurement without the influence of errors.

Question 27

personal error

Answer 27

Mistakes or miscalculations due to human fault. Can be eliminated by performing the experiment again correctly.

Question 28

systematic error

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

uncertainty

Answer 29

A quantification of the error associated with a measurement, often represented by the symbol ‘±’ after a reading.

Question 30

ethics

Answer 30

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

Question 31

primary data

Answer 31

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

Question 32

raw data

Answer 32

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

Question 33

transformed data

Answer 33

Results that have been converted from their raw format into a more visually comprehensible format that is easier to analyse.

Question 34

secondary data

Answer 34

Results from sources other than the researcher’s own investigations.

Question 35

numerical variable

Answer 35

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

Question 36

categorical variable

Answer 36

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

Question 37

correlation

Answer 37

When there is a relationship between two variables.

Question 38

causation

Answer 38

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

Question 39

bioethics

Answer 39

The study of ethical issues pertaining to biology and medicine.

Question 40

bioethical approach

Answer 40

A decision– making framework that helps guide ethical behaviour.

Question 41

ethical concept

Answer 41

A specific perspective or lens used to consider multiple angles of an ethical dilemma.

Question 42

consequences–based approach

Answer 42

An approach to bioethics that aims to maximise positive outcomes while minimising negative outcomes.

Question 43

duty– and/or rule–based approach

Answer 43

An approach to bioethics that promotes the responsibility of the agent above all else, and places importance on the duty of each individual.

Question 44

virtues–based approach

Answer 44

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.

Question 45

integrity

Answer 45

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.

Question 46

justice

Answer 46

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.

Question 47

beneficence

Answer 47

An ethical concept that seeks to maximise benefits when taking a particular position or course of action.

Question 48

non–maleficence

Answer 48

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.

Question 49

respect

Answer 49

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.