Scientific Investigation Flashcards
Aim
purpose of an experiment
Controlled variable(s)
variable(s) held constant throughout the experiment
Dependent variable
variable that is measured by the experimenter
Hypothesis
testable statement which predicts the outcome of an experiment
Independent variable
variable that is deliberately manipulated by the experimenter
Non-scientific ideas
ideas that are not developed by following a scientific method
Primary source
source providing original data, written by the experimenter
Scientific ideas
ideas that are developed by following a scientific method
Scientific method
procedure used to investigate scientific ideas
Secondary source
source that has interpreted primary sources
Variable
any factor (e.g., substance, condition, property) that is capable of changing throughout an experiment
Economic considerations
taking into account the associated costs of time and money
Ethical considerations
taking into account the effect on other living organisms (e.g. humans and animals)
Legal considerations
taking into account the legality of research, as well as how the research may influence the law
Political considerations
taking into account current governmental policies, and the political environment of society more broadly
Primary data
original data collected firsthand by researchers
Qualitative analysis
technique that determines a non-numerical result
Qualitative data
non-numerical (descriptive) data collected based on observations taken during an experiment
Quantitative analysis
technique that identifies the amount of substance present
Quantitative data
numerical data collected during experiments
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
document that outlines the health and safety information associated with different materials and chemicals
Secondary data
data that has been previously collected that is now accessible to different researchers
Social considerations
taking into account the effect on society
Anecdote
the communication of an abstract idea about a person, place, or thing through the use of a story or narrative
Control group (controlled variables)
sample that is subjected to the same conditions as all other samples without the independent variable
Opinion
a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge
Accuracy
how close measured values are to their true value
Bias
difference between the average of a large set of measurements and the true value
Error
difference between the measured value and the true value
Method
specific steps and techniques required to collect, visualise, and analyse experimental data in a scientific investigation
Methodology
different ways in which the planning and conducting of scientific investigations can be carried out
Mistake
sometimes called personal errors, mistakes should not be included in reporting and analysis
Outlier
data point or observation that differs significantly from other data points or observations
Precision
how close measured values are to each other
Random error
usually a ‘one-off’ error in measurement that differs in amount between trials
Repeatability
closeness of the agreement between the results of successive measurements of the same quantity, carried out under the same conditions
Reproducibility
closeness of the agreement between the results of measurements of the same quantity, carried out under changed conditions
Resolution (measurement)
the smallest change in quantity that is measurable (by a particular instrument)
Significant figures
number of digits required to express a number to a certain level of accuracy
Systematic error
error in measurement by the same amount in the same direction every time, which also includes errors that are inherent in the experiment
Uncertainty
level of doubt regarding the data obtained (for VCE purposes, we are only looking at this from a qualitative perspective)
Validity
whether the experiment and its components including the results address the aim and hypothesis of the research
Limitations (models)
often oversimplified, use approximations, and missing key details
