Key Science Skills - SAC 1 Flashcards
What is a hypothesis?
a testable statement
that describes how experimenters
expect the dependent variable
to change as the independent
variable changes
What is a dependent variable?
the factor/s measured in the
experiment that are changed when
the IV is manipulated
What is an independent variable?
the factor/s that is/are
manipulated in an experiment
What is a controlled variable?
a factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment. Also known as a constant variable
What is an uncontrolled variable?
a factor that is not kept constant or
accounted for throughout the
experiment. Also known as an
extraneous variable
What is methodology?
the strategy or overarching framework followed in a scientific investigation
What is the experimental group?
a group of individuals/samples in which
the independent variable is manipulated. Also known as the treatment group
What is a control group?
a group of individuals/samples that are
not exposed to the independent variable. Also known as an experimental control, control treatment, or the control
What does repeatable mean?
an experiment/ measurement in which scientists, using the methods they designed, can obtain the same result multiple times
What does reproducible mean?
an experiment/measurement in which a group of scientists, using methods designed by others, can obtain the same results as another group’s experiment
What does valid mean?
a measurement or
experiment that actually tests
what it claims to be testing
What does replication mean?
the process of running your test/experiment multiple times
What does accurate mean?
how close a measurement is to the true value
What does true value mean?
the value that would be obtained by a perfect measurement without the
influence of errors
What does precise mean?
two or more measurements that closely align with each other
What is a 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
What is a 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
What is a personal error?
mistakes or miscalculations due to human fault. Can be eliminated by performing the experiment again correctly
What is primary data?
results collected from experiments, interviews, or surveys undertaken by the researcher
What is secondary data?
results from sources other than the researcher’s own investigations
