Chapter 1 - Investigating Scientifically

Question 0

What do scientists look for in an observation?

Answer 0

Patterns

Question 1

What does Science mean?

Answer 1

It is a process of discovery and the knowledge that is discovered.

Question 2

What is a controlled experiment?

Answer 2

Fair tests; designed to investigate relationships between factors (or variables). They involve changing one variable while the others are kept the same.

Question 3

What is the Scientific method?

Answer 3

1. Recognize a problem and Define a question.
2. Collect as much info as possible relating to the problem
3. Propose a hypothesis using an experiment
4. Test the hypothesis - using an experiment
5. Analyze and interpret the data collected from the experiment
6. Draw conclusions about whether the hypothesis was supported or disproved
7. Report on the investigation

Question 4

What is a Survey?

Answer 4

A process of systematically collecting, analyzing and interpreting information about an aspect of a study.

Question 5

What is a case study?

Answer 5

An in-depth investigation of on particular person or situation.

Question 6

What is a longitudinal study?

Answer 6

One that is conducted over a long period of time. Similar to a case study but more prolonged.

Question 7

Ethical principles:

Answer 7

• Voluntary participation
• Informed Consent
• Risk of Harm
• Confidentiality

Question 8

What’s the difference between quantitative and qualitative datas?

Answer 8

Quantitative data is expressed in numbers and usually involving measurement, and Qualitative data is an observation that does not involve numbers or measurements.

Question 9

Methods to process data.

Answer 9

• Averages
• Ranges
• Ratios and Rates
• Percentages
• Percentage change
• Frequencies

Question 10

Presentation of Data.

Answer 10

• Tables
• Graphs
• Line Graphs
• Histograms
• Column graphs and bar graphs

Question 11

What is a Hypothesis?

Answer 11

A possible explanation to the problem.

Question 12

What is a literature review?

Answer 12

A survey of the material that has been written about the subject under consideration.

Question 13

What is the difference between a controlled and uncontrolled variable?

Answer 13

A controlled variable is kept constant for both the experimental and control groups of the experiment whereas the uncontrolled variable is different for both.

Question 14

What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?

Answer 14

An independent variable is the factor that is being investigated - the factor that is deliberately changed to determine its effect whereas a dependent variable is the facto that changes in response to the changed/independent variable.

Question 15

What is the difference between validity and reliability?

Answer 15

Reliability is the extent to which an experiment gives the same result each time it is performed and An experiment is valid when it tests what it is supposed to test.

Question 16

What is Peer Review?

Answer 16

It is a process which ensures that the report is worthy of publication and there is no incorrect, bogus or misleading information.

Question 17

What is a Report?

Answer 17

A report includes a description of an investigation, the results that were obtained and any conclusions that can be drawn from the results.

Question 18

What is an Aim?

Answer 18

The purpose of the investigation or “what you are trying to do”?

Question 19

What is Analyse?

Answer 19

The process where the data, problem, etc, is critically reviewed in order to come to a conclusion.

Question 20

What is data?

Answer 20

The information collected during an experiment which is often numerical or quantitative.

Question 21

What are limitations?

Answer 21

They are boundaries within which you are testing.

For eg. Were the variables sufficiently controlled, was the sample side big enough, was the accuracy of the measurement appropriate, were other health aspects taken into consideration when determining the cause of a disease ?

Question 22

What is a Placebo?

Answer 22

Something that is often used in drug trials. Although it resembles the drug being tested, it is not the drug and is used to see if the effect is due to the drug itself rather than a positive attitude by an individual because they are taking ‘something’.

Question 23

What is a variable?

Answer 23

Any change that can affect an investigation.

Question 24

What is TECHNOLOGY?

Answer 24

The use of new methods/things that gave resulted from scientific investigation. It is also called Applied Science.

Question 25

What is a ‘double blind’ test?

Answer 25

In a double blind test neither the test subjects nor the testers know who is in the control group and who is in the experimental group. It is conducted by an independent administrator, subjects are randomly allocated to each group and the results are passed on after proper statistical analysis.