scientific knowledge

Question 1

what is a hypothesis

Answer 1

a tentative prediction or explanation of an observation, usually based on an existing model or theory

Question 2

how to phrase a hypothesis

Answer 2

“If … (i do this)…, then …(this)… will happen”

Question 3

what is an independent variable

Answer 3

the variable changed by the scientist

Question 4

which axis does the independent variable sit

Answer 4

x axis

Question 5

what is a dependent variable

Answer 5

the variables that the scientist focuses their observations on to see how they respond to change

Question 6

which axis does the independent variable sit

Answer 6

y axis

Question 7

what is the controlled variable

Answer 7

the quantities the scientist wants to remain constant

Question 8

when are experiments considered valid?

Answer 8

experiments are considered VALID when scientists test the hypothesis that they intend to test and get consistent accurate feedback when repeated.

Question 9

validity in primary info?

Answer 9

have i tested with repetition and obtained consistent results?
have i done multiple trials and found an average to eliminate random errors?

Question 10

validity secondary info?

Answer 10

How consistent is the information with information from other reputable sources?
are the data presented based on repeatable processes?

Question 11

when are experiments considered reliable?

Answer 11

experiments are considered reliable when they can be repeated to give the same results and random error is eliminated or minimised

Question 12

reliability in primary info

Answer 12

• Do the results of the investigation agree with the scientifically accepted value?
• Have I used the best measuring equipment available?

Question 13

reliability in secondary info

Answer 13

• Is this information similar to information presented in peer-reviewed scientific journals?

Question 14

when are experiments considered accurate?

Answer 14

Experiments are considered ACCURATE when its measurements are close to the true value – for this to be achieved, the risk of error in measurement must be kept to a minimum. For an experiment to be valid it must be both reliable and valid.

Question 15

accuracy in primary info?

Answer 15

• Does my experiment measure the variable of interest?
• Does it actually test the hypothesis that I want it to?
• Have all variables apart from those being tested been kept constant?
• Have errors been kept to a minimum?

Question 16

accuracy in secondary info?

Answer 16

• Do the findings relate to the hypothesis or problem?

- Are the findings accurate and the sources reliable?

Question 17

when are scatter plots used

Answer 17

when you are looking for a relationship between variables

Question 18

when do you use a line graph

Answer 18

when you are looking for a relationship between variables

Question 19

when are column/bar graphs used

Answer 19

if groups of things have been counted or measured

Question 20

does column and bar graphs have gaps

Answer 20

no

Question 21

what is the histogram touch each other

Answer 21

columns touch eachother