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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

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26
Q

outlier

A

a reading that varies drastically from other results

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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

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28
Q

accurate

A

how close a measurement is to the true value

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29
Q

true value

A

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

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30
Q

population

A

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

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31
Q

sample

A

a subset of the larger
population being studied

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32
Q

representative

A

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger
population

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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 - often emphasises the surrounding circumstances of an action, and may sometimes allow an individual to break the rules in order to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of
stakeholders.

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 -The aim is to
follow set rules and
responsibilities, with less
regard for the consequences
that may result. - often argues that an action can’t be justified just because it produces good consequences. Instead, some actions must be followed because they are the responsibility of the individual, regardless of the consequences that may result.

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

63
Q

Case study

A

An investigation of an event or problem that involves a real or hypothetical situation. Case
studies can take many forms including historical analysis, role-play of an imagined situation, or designing a solution to a real-world problem

64
Q

Classification and identification

A

Classification is the arrangement of individuals or objects into logical, manageable sets. We use identification to recognise where new individuals or objects belong in these sets.

65
Q

Correlational study

A

Observing and recording events that have not been manipulated or controlled to understand associations that exist between variables. Typically still measures the effect of an IV (or multiple IVs) on a DV, but the IV is not manipulated by the experimenter and some conditions may be less controlled than in a laboratory experiment.

66
Q

Fieldwork

A

A correlational study or controlled experiment set up
outside a controlled environment (e.g. the classroom), usually in a selected ecosystem. Typically still measures the effect of an IV on a DV, however, conditions may be less controlled than in a laboratory experiment.

67
Q

Literature review

A

The collation and analysis of other people’s scientific
findings or viewpoints concerning a particular topic.
Consideration of the reliability of sources and methods is important in literature reviews. They are used to provide background information on a topic of interest and/or identify
potential areas of research

68
Q

Modelling

A

The construction of a model or representation that approximates an object or event. This could be a drawing, a
3D structure, an equation, a moving structure, etc., and can be used to describe systems or make predictions.

69
Q

Product, process, or system development

A

Design of an object, process, or system to meet a human need.

70
Q

Simulation

A

The process of using a model to observe and predict what may happen in a real or theoretical system.

71
Q

Random sampling

A

Random sampling ensures each member of the population is equally likely to be included.

72
Q

Systematic sampling

A

Systematic sampling involves taking samples at regular intervals along an environmental gradient (such as depth, soil type, rainfall, altitude, or temperature).

73
Q

Stratified sampling

A

When a population has clearly defined zones or characteristics, and you wish to sample proportionately from each zone, you may wish to use stratified sampling.

74
Q

Judgement sampling

A

Also known as selective sampling, the researcher chooses which individuals (or asks an expert’s advice) to sample according to their needs. Judgement sampling can be biased and lead to unrepresentative data, so should only be used when necessary.

75
Q

Convenience sampling

A

This type of sample is taken from a group of individuals who are easy to reach. Convenience sampling can lead to biased and unrepresentative samples that make results unreliable, so should be avoided where possible.

76
Q

Continuous data

A

(numerical) - Data that can take any value between a set of
real numbers. In other words, continuous data can include decimals and fractions e.g. height (178.87 cm), age (16 years 2 months 4 days…), mass (65.87 kg) - Line graph or scatter plot

77
Q

Discrete data

A

(numerical) - Data that can be counted and takes a particular
value. Discrete data cannot take a fraction of that value e.g. count of individuals (1, 2, 3) - Bar graph

78
Q

Ordinal data

A

(categorical) - Data that can be logically ordered e.g. size (small, medium, large), fin health score (1 = no fin damage, 2 = some fin damage, 3 = most of fin surface damaged), attitudes (agree, neutral, disagree) - Bar graph or pie chart

79
Q

Nominal

A

(categorical) - Data that cannot be organised in a logical sequence, e.g. gender (male, female, nonbinary, other), nationality (Australian, Chinese, South African, Egyptian), hair colour (brown, black, blonde, red) - Bar graph or pie chart

80
Q
A

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

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