Glossary Of Terms

Question 0

Calibration

Answer 0

Marking a scale on a measuring instrument

This involves establishing the relationship between indications of a measuring instrument and standard or reference quantity values, which must be applied.

Question 1

Accuracy

Answer 1

A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value

Question 2

Data

Answer 2

Information, either qualitative or quantitative, that has been collected

Question 3

Measurement error

Answer 3

The difference between a measured value and the true value

Question 4

Anomalies

Answer 4

These are values in a set of results which are judged not to be part of the variation caused by a random uncertainty

Question 5

Random Error

Answer 5

Here cause readings to be spread about the true value, due to results varying in an unpredictable way from one measurement to the next. Can’t be corrected, it can be reduced by making more measurements and calculating new mean

Question 6

Systematic error

Answer 6

these cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time a measurement is made. Which is caused by a method error. if there is one the data collection should be repeated using diff. equipment, technique.

Question 7

Zero Error

Answer 7

Any indication that a measuring system gives a false reading when the true value of a measured quantity is zero.

Question 8

Evidence

Answer 8

Data which has been shown to be valid

Question 9

Fair test

Answer 9

Is one in which only the independant variable has been allowed to affect the dependant variable.

Question 10

Hypothesis

Answer 10

A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations

Question 11

Interval

Answer 11

The quantity between readings

Question 12

Precision

Answer 12

Precise measurements are ones in which there is very little spread about the mean

Question 13

Prediction

Answer 13

A prediction is a statement suggesting what will happen in the future, based on observation, experience or a hypothesis.

Question 14

Range

Answer 14

The maximum value minus the minimum values of the independant or dependant variables

Question 15

Reliable

Answer 15

A reliable measurement is one that consistently reamins the same after several repeats

Question 16

Repeatable

Answer 16

A measurement is repeatable if the original experiment repeats the investigation using the same method, equipment and obtains the same results

Question 17

Reproducible

Answer 17

A measurement is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by another person, or by using a different equipment or techniques, and the same results are obtained

Question 18

Resolution

Answer 18

This is the smallest change in the quantity being measured (input) of a measuring instrument that gives a perceptible change in the reading

Question 19

Sketch Graph

Answer 19

A line graph that shows general shape of the relationship between the two variables

Question 20

True Variable

Answer 20

This is the value that would be obtained in an ideal measurement

Question 21

Uncertainty

Answer 21

The interval within which the true value can can be expected to liee, with a given level of confidence or probability

Question 22

Validity

Answer 22

Suitability of the investigative procedure to answer the question being asked

Question 23

Valid Conclusion

Answer 23

A conclusion supported by valid data, obtained from an appropriate experimental design and based on sound reasoning

Question 24

Catergoric

Answer 24

they have values that are labels. E.g . names of plants or types of material

Question 25

Continuous

Answer 25

They can have values that can be given a magnitude either by counting or by measurement

Question 26

Control

Answer 26

A control variable is one which may affect the outcome and therefore has to be kept constant or at least monitored.

Question 27

Dependant

Answer 27

is the variable that we measure

Question 28

Independent

Answer 28

Variable which we change