Scientific Method Flashcards

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1
Q

Define independent variable

A

The independent variable is a factor that is changed or manipulated in an experiment to determine it’s effect on the dependent variable

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2
Q

Define dependent variable

A

The dependent variable is measured to determine if the change or
manipulation of the independent variable had any effect.

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3
Q

Define controlled variable

A

controlled variable is one that is kept constant throughout the experiment.

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4
Q

Define control group

A

Factor affecting change that has been removed, to provide a baseline for
comparison to the experimental group.

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5
Q

Define accuracy

A

how close it is to the true value of the quantity being measured.

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6
Q

To improve accuracy the priority is to change the ?.

A

measurement tool

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7
Q

Precision is ?

A

how closely a set of measurement values agree with each other.

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8
Q

Reliability is defined as

A

the ability to obtain the same result if an experiment is repeated.

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9
Q

A systematic error is

A

This is a consistent error that occurs every time you take a measurement. E.g. reading the scale incorrectly or an uncalibrated meter. It affects the accuracy of the measurement.

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10
Q

A random error

A

These are unpredictable variations that can occur with each measurement. They affect the precision of the measurements.

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11
Q

Selection bias is when

A

This is when your sample is not representative of the population being studied.

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12
Q

Reproducibility is

A

the closeness of results between a different experiment testing the same thing carried out by a different experimenter.

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13
Q

Repeatibility is

A

the closeness of results between the same experiment carried out by the same experimenter.

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14
Q

An experiment is valid if

A

if it measures what it is supposed to be measuring.

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