Read The Title Flashcards
Accuracy
A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value.
Calibration
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. For example, placing a thermometer in melting ice to see whether it reads zero, in order to check if it has been calibrated correctly.
Data
Information that has been collected
Error
Something unnexpected or incorrect
Measurement error
Difference between the measured value and the real value
Anomalies
These are values in a set of results which are judged not to be part of the variation caused by random uncertainty.
Random error
These cause readings to be spread about the true value, due to results varying in an unpredictable way from one measurement to the next.
Systematic error
These cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time a measurement is made. Sources of systematic error can include the environment, methods of observation or instruments used. Systematic errors cannot be dealt with by simple repeats.
Zero error
An incorrect value of the true zero for a piece of equipment.
Evidence
Valid data
Fair test
A test where only the independent variable is able to affect the dependent variable
Hypothesis
A proposed outcome or result of a test
Interval
The quantity between readings
Precision
Precise measurements are ones which there is little spread about the mean value
Prediction
A prediction on what will happen in the future based on an observation
Range
The minimum and maximum values of the independent variable
Repeatable
An experiment is repeatable if the same scientist can conduct the same experiment with the same equipment and method and obtain the same results
Reproduceable
When an experiment can be carried out by a different person and obtain the same results
Resolution
The smallest possible value that can be detected by an instrument
Sketch grph
A graph that shows the general relationship between two variables
True value
The value that would be obtained in an ideal measurement
Uncertainty
The interval with which the true value can be expected to lie
Validity
The suitability of the experiment to answer the question being asked
Valid conclusion
A conclusion supported by valid data
Variables
Quantities or characteristics
Categoric
Variables with names as the label
Continuous variable
Continuous variables can have a value given by counting or by measurement
Control variable
The control variable is one which has the ability to change the dependent variable and so is kept constant
Dependent variable
The variable which is measured
Independent variable
The variable that is changed to affect the dependent variable
