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Biology 1 & 2 > Scientific investigations > Flashcards

Scientific investigations Flashcards

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1
Q

opinion definition

A

the personal belief or viewpoint of an individual which typically has not been verified as fact

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2
Q

controlled experiment definition

A

an investigation into the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable, while keeping all other factors constant

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3
Q

reliable definition

A

describes an experiment, tool or measurement that produces similar results when repeated and reproduced

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4
Q

bias definition

A

an inclination to favour a particular position or outcome

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5
Q

error definition

A

differences between observed values and the true value

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6
Q

hypothesis definition

A

a testable statement that describes how experimenters expect the dependent variable to change as the independent variable changes

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7
Q

research question definition

A

a testable, achievable, and specific question that an investigator sets our to answer

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8
Q

research questions need to be…

A

specific, testable and achievable

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9
Q

specific definition

A

only particular individuals will be sampled at particular times and locations

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10
Q

testable definition

A

must be able to measure the factors interested in

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11
Q

achievable definition

A

the scientist must have the funding, ethical approval and resources available to answer the question

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12
Q

aim definition

A

the objective of an investigation or experiment

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13
Q

dependant variable definition

A

the factor/s measured in an experiment that are changed when the independant variable is manipulated

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14
Q

independant variable definition

A

the factor/s that are/is manipulated in an experiment

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15
Q

controlled variable definition

A

a factor that is kept constant throughout the experiment

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16
Q

uncontrolled/extraneous variable definition

A

a factor that is not kept constant or accounted for throughout the experiment

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17
Q

methodology definition

A

the strategy of overarching framework followed in a scientific investigation

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18
Q

method definition

A

the steps followed in a scientific study

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19
Q

repeatable definition

A

an experiment/ measurement in which scientists using the methods they designed, can obtain the same results multiple times

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20
Q

reproducible definition

A

an experiment/measurement in which a group of scientists, using methods designed by others, can obtain the same results as another groups experiment

21
Q

valid definition

A

a measurement or experiment that actually rests what it claims to be testing

22
Q

experimental group definition

A

a group of individuals/ samples in which the independant variable is manipulated

23
Q

control group definition

A

a group of individuals/samples that are not exposed to the independant variable

24
Q

placebo definition

A

a substance that no active ingredients or side effects

25
Q

replication definition

A

the process of running your test/ experiment multiple times

26
Q

precise definition

A

two or more measurements that closely align with eachother

27
Q

replicates definition

A

multiple measurements that are exposed to the same level of the IV, are very close in value, and are close to the ‘true value’ of the quantity being measured

28
Q

outlier definition

A

a reading that varies drastically from othe results

29
Q

random error definition

A

variation in results caused by uncontrolled conditions between replicates, resulting in a less precise spread of readings. Can be reduced using more replicates or refining the measurement process.

30
Q

accurate definition

A

how close a measurement is to the true value

31
Q

population definition

A

a set of similar objects or individuals that are studied in a scientific investigation

32
Q

sample definition

A

a subset of the larger population being studied

33
Q

representative definition

A

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population

34
Q

unbiased definition

A

a sample or measurement that is unaffected by a scientists expectations

35
Q

personal error definition

A

mistakes or miscalculations due to human fault. Can be eliminated by performing the experiment again correctly

36
Q

systematic error definition

A

errors which cause results to differ by a consistent amount each time, typically due to faulty equipment or calibration, resulting in a less accurate result. Can be reduced by calibrating and maintaining instruments.

37
Q

uncertainty definition

A

a quantification of the error associated with a measurement, often represented by the symbol +_ after a reading

38
Q

primary data definition

A

results collected from an experiment, interviews or surveys undertaken by the researcher

39
Q

raw data definition

A

results that have not been processed, manipulated or formatted for use

40
Q

transformed data definition

A

results that have been converted from their raw format into a more visually comprehensible format that is easier to anaylse

41
Q

secondary data definition

A

results from sources other than the researchers own investigation

42
Q

numerical data definition

A

a factor that is measured as a number such as height, count of population and age

43
Q

categorical variable definition

A

a factor that is qualitative, typically describing a characteristic such as gender, birth order or nationality

44
Q

trendline definition

A

a line that shows the main pattern followed by a set of points on a graph. Also known as a line of best fit.

45
Q

anecdote

A

evidence involving a personal account or report of a previous experience that may provide a certain level of support for a position

46
Q

correlation definition

A

when there is a relationship between two variables

47
Q

causation definition

A

when a change in one variable leads to a reliable change in another variable

48
Q

stratified sampling definition

A

dividing a subject into natural non-overlapping strata and taking a representative number of samples from each group

49
Q

negative control definition

A

a group that is treated the same was as the experimental group but does not have the independant variable applied

Biology 1 & 2 (8 decks)

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