Key Science Skills Flashcards

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1
Q

Positive & negative controls

A

Negative controls: Used to elicit no response. They help confirm that any positive result in the experiment is truly due to the test condition and not due to external factors.

Positive controls: Positive controls confirm that the experimental setup can detect positive results and that all reagents and instruments are functioning correctly and as intended.

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2
Q

Qualitative data

A

Nominal, ordinal

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3
Q

Quantitative

A

Discrete, continuous

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4
Q

Accuracy

A

Accuracy of measurement is how close the measured value is to its true value

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5
Q

Precision

A

Precision of measurement is how close each repeated measurement is to the other measurements

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6
Q

Personal errors

A

NOT considered a type of experimental error - e.g. miscalculations

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7
Q

Systematic error

A

A consistent error that occurs every time you measure something

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8
Q

Reducing systematic error

A

Involves selecting appropriate equipment, using calibrated equipment, using equipment correctly and controlling variables. Improves accuracy.

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9
Q

Random error

A

Unpredictable variations that can occur with each measurement.

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10
Q

Reducing random errors

A

Involves taking more measurements and increasing your sample size. Improves precision.

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11
Q

Repeatability

A

How close of consistent measurements are when conducted under the same conditions of measurement.

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12
Q

Reproducibility

A

How close or consistent measurements are when carried out under changed conditions of measurement.

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13
Q

Reliability

A

Sometimes called repeatability and is the ability to obtain the same results if the experiment is repeated. Kind of like precision.

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14
Q

Validity

A

Refers to whether your results are sound and can be generalized (are they measuring what they are supposed to be). Kind of like accuracy.

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