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VCE Biology - Edrolo - Units 3 & 4 > Chapter 1 - General Skill > Flashcards

Chapter 1 - General Skill Flashcards

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1
Q

key science skills (KSSs)

A

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

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2
Q

opinion

A

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

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3
Q

controlled experiment

A

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

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4
Q

reliable

A

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

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5
Q

bias

A

an inclination to favour a particular position or outcome

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6
Q

error

A

differences between
observed values and the true value

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7
Q

Country

A

an area that is traditionally owned and looked after by an Aboriginal language group or community, or by certain people within that group. The term may indicate more than simply 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

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8
Q

hypothesis

A

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

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9
Q

research question

A

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

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10
Q

aim

A

the objective of an investigation or experiment

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11
Q

dependent variable (DV)

A

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

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12
Q

independent variable (IV)

A

the factor/s that is/are manipulated in an experiment

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13
Q

controlled variable

A

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

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14
Q

uncontrolled variable

A

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

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15
Q

methodology

A

the strategy or overarching framework followed in a scientific investigation

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16
Q

method

A

the steps followed in a
scientific investigation

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17
Q

repeatable

A

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

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18
Q

reproducible

A

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

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19
Q

valid

A

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

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20
Q

experimental group

A

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

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21
Q

control group

A

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

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22
Q

placebo

A

a substance that has no active ingredients or side effects

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23
Q

replication

A

the process of running your test/experiment multiple times

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24
Q

precise

A

two or more measurements that closely align with each other

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25
Q

replicates

A

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

26
Q

outlier

A

a reading that varies drastically from other results

27
Q

random error

A

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

28
Q

accurate

A

how close a measurement is to the true value

29
Q

true value

A

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

30
Q

population

A

a set of similar objects or individuals that are studied in a scientific investigation

31
Q

sample

A

a subset of the larger
population being studied

32
Q

representative

A

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger
population

33
Q

unbiased

A

a sample or measurement that is unaffected by a scientist’s expectations

34
Q

personal error

A

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

35
Q

systematic error

A

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

36
Q

uncertainty

A

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

37
Q

ethics

A

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

38
Q

sterile

A

surgically clean and free from contamination by microorganisms. Also known
as aseptic

39
Q

primary data

A

results collected from experiments, interviews, or surveys undertaken by the researcher

40
Q

raw data

A

a results that have not been processed, manipulated, or
formatted for use

41
Q

transformed data

A

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

42
Q

secondary data

A

results from sources other than the researcher’s own investigations

43
Q

numerical variable

A

a factor that is measured as a number such as height, count of population, and age

44
Q

categorical variable

A

a factor that is qualitative, typically describing a characteristic such as gender, birth order (1st, 2nd, 3rd), or nationality

45
Q

trendline

A

a line that shows the main pattern followed by a set of
points on a graph. Also known as a line of best fit

46
Q

anecdote

A

evidence involving a personal account or report of a previous experience that may provide a certain level of support for a position

47
Q

correlation

A

when there is a relationship between two variables

48
Q

causation

A

when change in one variable leads to reliable change in another

49
Q

applied ethics

A

the application of ethical theories to real–life moral
problems and contexts

50
Q

metathinking

A

the practice of reflecting upon and evaluating the way we think, including the different strategies and tools for problem–solving and learning

51
Q

bioethics

A

the study of ethical issues pertaining to biology and
medicine

52
Q

bioethical issue

A

an ethical dilemma pertaining to biology that typically involves a decision–making process between two or more choices or options for an action

53
Q

bioethical approach

A

a decision–making framework that helps guide ethical behaviour

54
Q

ethical concept

A

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

55
Q

consequences–based approach

A

an approach to bioethics that
aims to maximise positive
outcomes while minimising
negative outcomes

56
Q

duty– and/or rule–based approach

A

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

57
Q

virtues–based approach 

A

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

58
Q

integrity

A

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

59
Q

justice

A

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

60
Q

beneficence

A

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

61
Q

non–maleficence

A

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

62
Q

respect

A

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

VCE Biology - Edrolo - Units 3 & 4 (11 decks)

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