Lab Reports And Evaluating Results

Question 1

Describe the difference between precision and accuracy.

Answer 1

Precision is how consistent and exacts a measurement is, while accuracy is how close to the actual or true value a measurement is.

Question 2

What does a hypothesis tell you in a lab report?

Answer 2

A hypothesis describes the predictions you were testing.

Question 3

What does the procedure tell you in a lab report?

Answer 3

A procedure is a list of the steps necessary to carry out the experiment.

Question 4

What should you include in a conclusion?

Answer 4

A summary of the results, a discussion of whether or not the data supported the hypothesis, errors, and questions for further investigation

Question 5

Describe some reasons why you might be critical of scientific findings.

Answer 5

The person or group conducting the experiment is biased, the data seems unreasonable and/or the results aren’t replicable

Question 6

Describe a situation where you would need to use estimation or round numbers.

Answer 6

Any situation where making an exact measurement isn’t possible, or if you are calculating a number with a repeating decimal

Question 7

Define “bias.”

Answer 7

A bias is having a special interest that prevents you from being objective or conducting a fair test of your hypothesis.