Terms

Question 1

precision

Answer 1

refers to how closely a set of measurement values agree with each other. Precision gives no indication of how close the measurements are to the true value and is therefore a separate consideration to accuracy.

Question 2

accuracy

Answer 2

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

Question 3

repeatability

Answer 3

the closeness of the agreement between the results of successive measurements of the same quantity being measured, carried out under the same conditions of measurement. These conditions include the same measurement procedure, the same observer, measuring instrument used under the same conditions, the same location, and repetition over a short period of time.

Question 4

reproducability

Answer 4

the closeness of the agreement between the results of measurements of the same quantity being measured, carried out under changed conditions of measurement. These different conditions include a different method of measurement, different observer, different measuring instrument, different location, different conditions of use, and different time.

Question 5

true value

Answer 5

the value, or range of values, that would be found if the quantity could be measured perfectly

Question 6

valididity

Answer 6

a measurement is said to be valid if it measures what it is supposed to be measuring.
An experiment is said to be valid if it investigates what it sets out and/or claims to investigate.

Question 7

personal errors

Answer 7

include mistakes or miscalculations

Question 8

random errors

Answer 8

affect the precision of a measurement and are present in all measurements except for those involving xounting. They are unpredicatble variation in measurement process and result in a spread of readings

Question 9

how can the effect of random errors be reduced

Answer 9

making more or repeated measurements and calculating a new mean and/or by refining the measurement method or technique

Question 10

systematic errors

Answer 10

affect the accuracy of a measurement. cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amoount each time a measurement is made.

Question 11

uncertainty

Answer 11

uncertainty of tthe result of a measurement reflects tthe lack of exact knowledge of the valye of the quantitybeing measured

Question 12

what are the different types of scientific investigation methodologies

Answer 12

case study, classification and identification, controlled experiement, correlational study, fieldwork, literature review, modelling, product process or system development, stimulation

Question 13

case study

Answer 13

An investigation of a particular activity, behaviour, event or problem that contains a real or hypothetical situation and includes the complexities that would be encountered in the real world.

Question 14

classification and identification

Answer 14

Classification is the arrangement of phenomena, objects or events into manageable sets, whereas identification is a process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to particular sets or possibly being part of a new or unique set.

Question 15

controlled experiment

Answer 15

an experimental investigation of the relationship between an IV and DV, controlling all other variables

Question 16

correlational study

Answer 16

Planned observation and recording of events and behaviours that have not been manipulated or controlled to understand the relationships/associations that exist between variables, to identify which factors may be of greater importance, and to make predictions.

Question 17

fieldwork

Answer 17

fieldwork involves observing and interacting with a selected environment beyond the classroom, usually in an attempt to determine correlation, rather than a causal relationship.

Question 18

literature review

Answer 18

Involves the collation and analysis of secondary data related to other people’s scientific findings and/or viewpoints in order to answer a question or provide background information to help explain observed events, or as preparation for an investigation to generate primary data.

Question 19

product, process or system development

Answer 19

Design of an artefact, process or system to meet a human need, which may involve technological applications in addition to scientific knowledge and procedures.