Key Science skills

Question 1

investigation aim

Answer 1

the purpose of a study
- to investigate….

Question 2

investigation question

Answer 2

the question that is to be solved by a study

Question 3

hypothesis

Answer 3

a statement predicting the probable outcomes of an investigation
- it is hypothesised that…

Question 4

Indépendant variable (IV)

Answer 4

the variable that is being manipulated (controlled, selected or changed) by the researcher

Question 5

Dependent Variable (DV)

Answer 5

the variable that is being measured by the researcher

Question 6

Controlled experiment

Answer 6

an experimental investigation of the relationship between one or more independent variables and a dependent variable, in which all other variables are controlled.

Question 7

Extraneous variable

Answer 7

a variable other than the IV that may have an unwanted effect on the DV and results of an investigation

Question 8

controlled variable

Answer 8

a variable that is help constant to ensure that the only influence on the DV is the IV

Question 9

Confounding variable

Answer 9

an unwanted variance that has affected the results of an investigation

Question 10

population

Answer 10

the wider group of people that a study is investigating

Question 11

sample

Answer 11

the smaller group of people elected from the population who will be participants in the investigation

Question 12

sampling technique

Answer 12

different procedures fro selecting participants from the population

Question 13

random sampling

Answer 13

selecting participants from the population in a way that means each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study

Question 14

stratified sampling

Answer 14

first dividing the population into the subgroups and then (randomly) selecting participants from each subgroup in the proportion that they appear on the population

Question 15

investigation methodology

Answer 15

the particular type of research study

Question 16

allocation

Answer 16

dividing a sample into groups in an investigation

Question 17

case study

Answer 17

an investigation of a particular activity or behaviour/event that contains a real or hypothetical situation & includes real-word complexities

Question 18

case study, strength and limitations

Answer 18

Strength = useful to study experiences where it would be unethical to experiment.
limitation = low validity, cannot be generalised.

Question 19

classification and identification

Answer 19

Classification is the arrangement of phenomena, objects, or events into manageable sets.
Identification is a process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to particular sets or possibly being of a new or unique set.

Question 20

Classification and identification, strengths and limitations

Answer 20

strengths = help make predictions and inferences.
limitations = labels and language can be inaccurate and create a bias.

Question 21

correlation

Answer 21

planned observation & recording of events and behaviours the have not been manipulated or controlled

Question 22

correlation strengths and limitations.

Answer 22

strength = directions 7 strength of a relationship can be determined using a correlation study.
limitation = the relationship is bi-directional, cannot determine which variable has more influence

Question 23

Fieldwork

Answer 23

collection info by observing & interacting with a selected environment, often real-life setting.

Question 24

field work strengths & limitations

Answer 24

strengths = provides rich, detailed data.
limitations = minimal control over EV’s

Question 25

literature review

Answer 25

a type of investigation that involves collating & analysing secondary data findings & viewpoints.

Question 26

literature review strengths & limitations

Answer 26

strengths = identify methodologies that have been unsuccessful or not successful at generating significant findings.
limitations = only secondary data is required

Question 27

modelling and simulation.

Answer 27

modelling - Investigation methodology that involved construction &/or manipulating a physical or conceptual model of a system.
Simulation - uses the model to replicate & study the behaviour of a system.

Question 28

modelling ad simulation strengths and limitations

Answer 28

Strengths = can test a product before its created; test things that may be unethical or logistically impossible in a controlled experiment.
limitations = complex models and simulations can be expensive.

Question 29

Product, process or system developments.

Answer 29

type of investigation in which a product, process or a system is designed to meet a human need.