scientific method

Question 1

what are 5 types of investigations

Answer 1

observations
controlled experiments
surveys
trial and error
case studies
longitudinal studies

Question 2

what is an observation

Answer 2

5 main senses - sight, smell, taste, touch, sound

Question 3

what is an inference

Answer 3

suggested reason on why our observation happened

Question 4

what is a controlled experiment

Answer 4

independent variable is changed while the dependent is measures

Question 5

what is an independent variable

Answer 5

the thing you change

Question 6

what is a dependent variable

Answer 6

the thing you measure

Question 7

what is a hypothesis

Answer 7

a statement that can be tested by performing an experiment to see if it’s true or a null hypothesis

Question 8

what are the 10 parts to an experimental design

Answer 8

1. aim
2. intro
3. hypothesis
4. equipment list
5. diagram
6. procedure/method
7. results
8. graph
9. discussion
10. conclusion

Question 9

what is data recorded in

Answer 9

table

Question 10

what is data presented in

Answer 10

graph

Question 11

what are the 7 steps of the scientific method

Answer 11

1. recognise problem
2. collect information
3. hypothesis
4. experimental design
5. analyse data
6. conclusion
7. publication

Question 12

where does the independent variable go on a table

Answer 12

first column

Question 13

where does the independent variable go on a graph

Answer 13

X axis (bottom)

Question 14

what are the 5 graphs

Answer 14

line, column, histogram, pie chart, scattergram

Question 15

when are line graphs used

Answer 15

for continuous or numerical data

Question 16

when are column graphs used

Answer 16

for discrete information

Question 17

when are histograms used

Answer 17

for “ranges” of data

Question 18

what is talked about in a discussion

Answer 18

patterns, trends, describe your graph and use numbers

Question 19

what is “the holy trinity”

Answer 19

validate, accuracy, reliability

Question 20

when is an experiment valid

Answer 20

• if you test the hypothesis/aim
• control all variables except the independent
• if all variables are controlled it is considered a “fair test”

Question 21

how can you make an experiment more accurate

Answer 21

• use a mm ruler
• use an experienced person to conduct the experiment
• experimental error and systematic error

Question 22

what is a systematic error

Answer 22

calibration of equipment/apparatus

Question 23

what is an experimental error

Answer 23

reading data wrong/recording data wrong

Question 24

what is reliability

Answer 24

• repetition of trials
• repeating entire experiment
• large sample size (50+)
• consistent data w no outliers

Question 25

what 3 marks are in a conclusion

Answer 25

1. restate hypothesis
2. does the data prove the hypothesis true/null
3. use numbers from data, give an example of how it’s supported/made null

Question 26

how to calculate percentage change

Answer 26

new data-original data/original data x 100%

Question 27

what 3 marks are in a table

Answer 27

title, label/units, data