Scientific Investigation Key Words Flashcards
Independent variable
A variable you are deliberately changing
Dependant variable
The effect you measure when the dependant variable has changed.
Control variable
The variable you keep the same so they don’t affect the results.
Hypotheses
A statement linking to variable based on research and obsivation .
Anomalous
A reading that doesn’t fit in the same pattern. Detected by doing repeats and lines of best fit on graphs.
Average reading
After removing anomalous results, add together the readings and divide by the number of readings.
Resolution
The smallest scale of change a measuring instrument can measure
Random error
When repeated results vary by an unpredictable amount.
Systematic error
When results vary by a predictable amount
Zero error
When a reading doesn’t real zero when it should (ie disconnected). Solved by recording the amount it’s off by and adding or subtracting from the readings.
Directly proportional
Graph which is a straight line through the origin or in results when one variable doubles, so does the other.
Precise
When there is very little spread in repeat results
Reproducible
When someone else repeats the investigation and they get similar results.
Repeatable
When you repeat the investigation and you get similar results
What is a fair test?
An investigation where only the independent variable is aloud to affect the dependant variable.
