Scientific Vocabulary

Question 1

Accuracy

Answer 1

A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value.

Question 2

Uncertainty

Answer 2

The interval within which the true value can be expected to lie, with a given level of
confidence or probability, eg ‘the temperature is 20 °C ± 2 °C, at a level of confidence of 95%’.

Question 3

Resolution

Answer 3

This is the smallest change in the quantity being measured (input) of a measuring instrument
that gives a perceptible change in the reading.

Question 4

Repeatability

Answer 4

A measurement is repeatable if the original experimenter repeats the investigation using
same method and equipment and obtains the same results. Previously known as reliab

Question 5

Reproductibility

Answer 5

measurement is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by another person, or by using
different equipment or techniques, and the same results are obtained. Previously known as

Question 6

Presicion

Answer 6

Precise measurements are ones in which there is very little spread about the mean value.
Precision depends only on the extent of random errors – it gives no indication of how close
results are to the true value.

Question 7

Validility

Answer 7

Validity
Suitability of the investigative procedure to answer the question being asked. For example, an
investigation to find out if the rate of a chemical reaction depended upon the concentration of
one of the reactants would not be a valid procedure if the temperature of the reactants was
not controlled.