Scientific skills

Question 1

Describe the differences between quantitative and qualitative data

Answer 1

Qualitative data is descriptions e.g. colour and is represented with a bar graph as the data is discontinuous.
Quantitative data is numerical data e.g. 10 seconds and is represented as a line graph or histogram as it is continuous data.

Question 2

Define independent variable

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Define dependent variable

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Define controlled variable

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Define reliability

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Define reproducibility

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Define accuracy

Answer 7

The accuracy of a measurement relates to how close it is to the ‘true’ value of the quantity being measured.

Question 8

Define precision

Answer 8

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

Question 9

How do you improve accuracy?

Answer 9

improve the measuring tool that is used to measure the dependent variable or collecting quantitative data instead of qualitative data.

Question 10

How do you improve reliability?

Answer 10

More repeats