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 reproducibility

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Define accuracy

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Define precision

Answer 7

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

Question 8

How do you improve accuracy?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

How do you improve repeatability?

Answer 9

More repeats

Question 10

Define repeatability

Answer 10

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