Chapter 1 Flashcards
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
Country
an area that is traditionally own and looked after by an Aboriginal language group or community, or by certain people within that group. The term may indicate more than simple a geographical area - it is also a concept that can encompass the spiritual meaning and feelings of deep connection and attachment associated with that area.
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/ measurements in which a group of scientists, using methods designed by others, can obtain the same results as another group’s experiment
vaild
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 the experimental control, control treatment, or the control
placebo
a substance that has no active ingredients or side effects
replication
the process of running your test/experiment multiple times
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
outlier
a reading that varies drastically from other results
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
population
a set of similiar objects or individuals that are studied in a scientific investigation
sample
a subset of the larger population being studied
representative
a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the large population
unbiased
a sample or measurement that is unaffected by a scientist’s expectations
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
uncertainity
a quantification of the error associated with a measurement, often represented by the symbol ‘Plus/Minus’ after a reading
ethics
a field of knowledge that helps individuals exercise moral judgement and determine what is right and wrong
sterile
surgically clean and free from contamination by microorganisms. Also known as aseptic
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
categorical variable
a factor that is qualitative, typically describing a characteristic such as gender, birth order (1st, 2nd, 3rd), or nationality
trendline
a line that shows the main pattern followed by a set of points on a graph. Also known as a line of best fit
anecdote
evidence involving a personal account or report of a previous experience that may provide a certain level of support for a position
correlation
when there isi a relationship between two variables
causation
when change in one variable leads to reliable change in another
ethics
a field of knowledge that helps individuals exercise moral judgement and determine what is right and wrong
applied ethics
the application of ethical theories to real-life moral problems and contexts
metathinking
the practice of reflecting upon and evaluating the way we think, including the different strategies and tools for problem-solving and learning
bioethics
the study of ethical issues pertaining to biology and medicine
bioethical issue
an ethical dilemma pertaining to biology that typically involves a decision-making process between two or more choices or options for an action
bioethical approach
a devision making framework that helps guide ethical behaiviour
ethical concept
ethical concept a specific perspective or lens used to consider multiple angles of ethical dilemma
