Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

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

Chapter 1 - General Skill Flashcards

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

opinion

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

controlled experiment

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

reliable

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

bias

A

an inclination to favour a particular position or outcome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

error

A

differences between
observed values and the true value

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

hypothesis

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

research question

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

aim

A

the objective of an investigation or experiment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

dependent variable (DV)

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

independent variable (IV)

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

controlled variable

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

uncontrolled variable

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

methodology

A

the strategy or overarching framework followed in a scientific investigation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

method

A

the steps followed in a
scientific investigation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

repeatable

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

valid

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

experimental group

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

placebo

A

a substance that has no active ingredients or side effects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

replication

A

the process of running your test/experiment multiple times

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

precise

A

two or more measurements that closely align with each other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
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
26
outlier
a reading that varies drastically from other results
27
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
28
accurate
how close a measurement is to the true value
29
true value
the value that would be obtained by a perfect measurement without the influence of errors
30
population
a set of similar objects or individuals that are studied in a scientific investigation
31
sample
a subset of the larger population being studied
32
representative
a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population
33
unbiased
a sample or measurement that is unaffected by a scientist’s expectations
34
personal error
mistakes or miscalculations due to human fault. Can be eliminated by performing the experiment again correctly
35
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
36
uncertainty
a quantification of the error associated with a measurement, often represented by the symbol ‘±’ after a reading
37
ethics
a field of knowledge that helps individuals exercise moral judgment and determine what is right and wrong
38
sterile
surgically clean and free from contamination by microorganisms. Also known as aseptic
39
primary data
results collected from experiments, interviews, or surveys undertaken by the researcher
40
raw data
a results that have not been processed, manipulated, or formatted for use
41
transformed data
results that have been converted from their raw format into a more visually comprehensible format that is easier to analyse
42
secondary data
results from sources other than the researcher’s own investigations
43
numerical variable
a factor that is measured as a number such as height, count of population, and age
44
categorical variable
a factor that is qualitative, typically describing a characteristic such as gender, birth order (1st, 2nd, 3rd), or nationality
45
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
46
anecdote
evidence involving a personal account or report of a previous experience that may provide a certain level of support for a position
47
correlation
when there is a relationship between two variables
48
causation
when change in one variable leads to reliable change in another
49
applied ethics
the application of ethical theories to real–life moral problems and contexts
50
metathinking
the practice of reflecting upon and evaluating the way we think, including the different strategies and tools for problem–solving and learning
51
bioethics
the study of ethical issues pertaining to biology and medicine
52
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
53
bioethical approach
a decision–making framework that helps guide ethical behaviour
54
ethical concept
a specific perspective or lens used to consider multiple angles of an ethical dilemma
55
consequences–based approach
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
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 -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
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
58
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
59
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
60
beneficence
an ethical concept that seeks to maximise benefits when taking a particular position or course of action
61
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
62
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
63
Case study
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
Classification and identification
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
Correlational study
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
Fieldwork
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
Literature review
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
Modelling
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
Product, process, or system development
Design of an object, process, or system to meet a human need.
70
Simulation
The process of using a model to observe and predict what may happen in a real or theoretical system.
71
Random sampling
Random sampling ensures each member of the population is equally likely to be included.
72
Systematic sampling
Systematic sampling involves taking samples at regular intervals along an environmental gradient (such as depth, soil type, rainfall, altitude, or temperature).
73
Stratified sampling
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
Judgement sampling
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
Convenience sampling
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
Continuous data
(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
Discrete data
(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
Ordinal data
(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
Nominal
(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

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

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions