Term 1: Scientific Skills Flashcards
Scientific method
The process that scientists go through to conduct experiments
Valid
A term used to describe a situation where the experiment follows the rules of a fair test
Accurate
A term used to describe whether an experiment’s results are true
Reliable
Consistent in performance
Purpose of an
experiment
The reason as to why an experiment is conducted
Aim
A statement as to the objective of an experiment
Hypothesis
A reasoned deduction as to the outcome of an experiment
Independent
variable
The variable in an experiment that is changed
Dependent Variable
The variable in an experiment that is measured and is usually affected by the independent variable
Controlled variable
The variable that is left alone in an experiment and remain constant
Experimental group
The group that is exposed to the independent variable
Control group
It is the group of variables that remain left alone so the effect of the independent variable can be measured through the dependent variable
Random error
An error arising from an unpredictable situation such as a change in the environment
Systematic error
An error arising from an issue with equipment, either the user using it wrong or an actual issue with the instrument’s ability to collect information
Personal error
An error made directly by the observer. Eg. A person collecting data reads a scale wrong etc.
