Working Scientifically

Question 1

Accurate

Answer 1

a measurement is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value

Question 2

Anomalies

Answer 2

results that do not match the pattern seen in the other data collected or are well outside the range of other repeat
readings (outliers)

Question 3

Bar charts

Answer 3

used when you have a categoric independent variable and a continuous dependent variable

Question 4

Categoric variable

Answer 4

categoric variables have values that are labels. For example, types of material

Question 5

Continuous variables

Answer 5

can have values (called a quantity) that can be given by measurement (for example, mass, volume, temperature,
etc.)

Question 6

Dependent variable

Answer 6

the variable for which the value is measured for each and every change in the independent variable

Question 7

Directly proportional

Answer 7

a relationship that, when drawn on a line graph, shows a positive linear relationship that crosses through the origin

Question 8

Errors

Answer 8

Uncertainties

Question 9

Fair test

Answer 9

a fair test is one in which only the independent variable has been allowed to affect the dependent variable

Question 10

Hazard

Answer 10

a hazard is something (e.g., an object, a property of a substance or an activity) that can cause harm

Question 11

Hypothesis

Answer 11

a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations

Question 12

independent variable

Answer 12

the variable for which values are changed or selected by the investigator

Question 13

Line graph

Answer 13

used when both variables are continuous. The line should normally be a line of best fit, and may
be straight or a smooth curve

Question 14

Precision

Answer 14

a precise measurement is one 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 (accurate) value

Question 15

Prediction

Answer 15

a forecast or statement about the way something will happen in the future

Question 16

Random error

Answer 16

differences in results due to poor measurements being made. Usually this is because the experimenter does not
carry out exactly the same method each time, or because of limitations of the measurement device

Question 17

Range

Answer 17

the maximum and minimum values of the independent or dependent variables

Question 18

Relationship

Answer 18

Link between the variables that were investigated

Question 19

Repeatable

Answer 19

a measurement is repeatable if the original experimenter repeats the investigation using the same method and
equipment and obtains the same or precise results

Question 20

Reproducible

Answer 20

a measurement is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by another person, using different equipment and
the same results are obtained

Question 21

Risk

Answer 21

the likelihood that a hazard will actually cause harm

Question 22

Systematic error

Answer 22

cause readings to be a value other than the true value, due to results differing from the true value by a consistent
amount each time a measurement is made

Question 23

Valid

Answer 23

suitability of the investigative procedure to answer the question being asked

Question 24

Variable

Answer 24

physical, chemical or biological quantity or characteristic