Working scientifically Flashcards
What is the independent variable?
The variable that we change in an experiment. The ONLY thing we change
What is the dependent variable?
The variable we measure in an experiment
What is the control variable?
The variable we keep the same in an experiment. Usually more than one control variable
What is qualitative data?
Qualitative data can only be described in words or phrases
eg. rock type, species names
What is quantitative data?
Quantitative data are measurements written as numbers with units
eg. height (m), temperature (°C)
What is data?
- Facts
- Measurements
- Quantities
- Information
- Numbers
- Observations
- Graphs
What do we measure mass in and what is the abbreviation?
Abbreviation - kg
Unit - kilogram
What do we measure temperature in and what is the abbreviation?
Abbreviation - °C
Unit - celsius
What do we measure length in and what is the abbreviation?
Abbreviation - m
Unit - meters
What do we measure time in and what is the abbreviation?
Abbreviation - s
Unit - seconds
What do we measure volume in and what is the abbreviation?
Abbreviation - cm³
Unit - centimeters cubed
What are the 2 different types of errors?
Systematic error
Random error
What is systematic error? Give an example.
An error that occurs with the equipment
- zero error
- inaccurately celebrated equipment
What is random error? Give an example.
An error that occurs with you
- parallax error
- incorrect reading
- wrong technique
- reflex error
How can data be classified?
It can classified according to where you obtain it from
What is first-hand data (primary data)?
Data that you or your own team personally find out by running your OWN experiment
eg. measurement YOU take
What is second-hand data (secondary data)?
Data that comes from the work of other people
eg. internet, textbooks, magazine articles
What is an anomaly?
A result in your results that is different and doesn’t fit with the rest of the results
What do we do with anomalies?
We identify and exclude anomalies from the calculation of the average (mean)
What are the rules for drawing a graph?
- use a pencil
- use a ruler
- include units in heading
- maintain whole numbers or significant figures
What is the difference between reliable and accurate data?
Accurate data means that the results are valid or correct whereas reliable means you constantly get almost the exact same results after repeating an experiment
What does validity mean?
A term used to describe how likely it is that an experiment measures what it was designed to measure
What does accuracy mean?
A measure of how close the data collected from an experiment is to the “true value”
What does reliability mean?
A measure of how repeatable the data collected from an experiment is
What is the difference between line graphs and bar graphs?
Line - uses continuous data - has a range
Bar - discontinuous data - categories
When drawing a graph which axis do the IV and DV go on?
DV - on the y-axis (y to the sky)
IV - on the x-axis
What are some rules for drawing a line graph?
- needs a title
- use a pencil
- use a ruler
- points need to be plotted
- needs units + labels
- needs an appropriate scale
- usually has a smooth curve in the results
What are some rules for drawing a bar graph?
- needs a title
- use a ruler
- needs an appropriate scale
- use a pencil
- the top of the bar needs to be drawn accurately
- the space between the bars needs to be the same width
- bars need to be the same width
- use a key if needed
