Scientific Method Flashcards
Accuracy
How close measured values are to their true value
Bias
difference between the average of a large set of measurements and the true value.
Error
difference between the measured value and the true value
Methodology
different ways in which the planning and conducting of scientific investigations can be carried out
mistake
sometimes called personal errors, mistakes should not be included in reporting and analysis
outlier
data points or observations that differ significantly from other data points or observations
precision
how close measured values are to each other
random error
in measurement that differs in amount each time the experiment is conducted an is usually a ‘one-off’
repeatability
closeness of the agreement between the results of successive measurements of the same quantity being measured, carried out under the same conditions of measurement
reproducibility
closeness of the agreement between the results of measurements of the same quantity being measure,carried out under changed conditions of measurements.
Difference between repeatability and reproducibility
repeatability measure the variation in measurements taken by a single instrument or person under the same conditions, while reproducibility measures whether an entire study or experiment can be reproduced in its entirety.
resolution
the smallest change in the quantity being measured of a measuring instrument that gives a perceptible change in reading.
systematic errors
measurements of the same thing will vary in predictable ways: every measurement will differ from the true measurement in the same direction and by the same amount. eg. eg. and error in the measurements of temperature due to poor thermal contact between the thermometer and the substance being measured.
uncertainty
level of doubt regarding the data obtained (only from a qualitative level in VCE)
validity
whether or not the experiment and its components including the results address the aim and hypothesis of the research.
