Scientific Investigation Flashcards
What is accuracy?
The degree of closeness of measurement of a quantity to that quantity’s true value.
What does analysis mean?
A method of studying the nature of something or determining its essential features and their relations.
For example if you analyse water, you can find out what elements it is made of (H2O) at what temperature it goes from solid to liquid, and at what temperature it goes from liquid to gas.
What is biology?
The science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomenon, especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure and behaviour.
What is geology?
The study of earth, particularly the solid earth and the rocks that compose it.
What does hazrdous mean?
A hazard is anything that under certain conditions has a negative effect on the health of someone or something.
When you make a risk assessment you find hazards, and find out what you need to do to avoid them. For example if you need to use a bunsen burner, the hazard is the flame and risk of getting burned or burn something. To manage the hazard or risk you must keep the work area clear and not leave it unattended.
What is chemistry?
Chemistry is a branch of physical science that studies the composition, structure, properties and change of matter.
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is an idea or explanation that you then test through study and experimentation.
A hypothesis predicts the outcome of an experiment and explains why you predict that outcome. The prediction must include both independent and dependent variables.
What is science?
Science is the study of everything around us and how it works. Science is split into different subjects so people can specialise in what they look at.
For example: physics, biology, chemistry and geology.
What do I need to write in the conclusion of my scientific report?
You evaluate your hypothesis. Does the data i have collected in the experiment, support the prediction i made in my hypothesis?
What is an independent variable?
The independent variable is the variable you deliberately change in your experiment.
What is the dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the variable being tested in a scientific experiment.
The dependent variable is dependent on the independent variable. As the experimenter changes the independent variable, the changes in the dependent variable is observed and recorded.
What does it mean to make a summary of results?
A summary of results describes WHAT happened, not why.
You need to describe the trend in your data.
What do i write in the discussion In my report, which i will write after the experiment has taken place?
In the discussion you analyse your data. Explain cause and effect, WHY it happened.
You can also describe any error that might have happened during your experiment, and what effect it might have had on your results.
Finish the analasys with recommendations for future experiments.
How do I describe the method in my experiment?
When describing your method, you need to give enough detail so it is possible for another person to repeat your experiment.
Write it like a recipe with numbered steps.
Make a diagram showing your setup, with clear labels for all the things used.
What is raw data?
Raw data are the observations that you record in your experiment.
They need to have their correct units, eg kg or grams or meters, after each data recorded and placed in a table. The table needs to be labelled too.
