chapter 1 - science inquiry

Question 1

what are types of investigations

Answer 1

• observations, controlled experiments, surveys, trial and error, case studies and longitudinal studies

Question 2

planning: what is a literature review

Answer 2

• survey that has been written containing material / information about the subject under consideration

Question 3

planning: how do safety and ethics play a role

Answer 3

• S: must present no danger to participants / investigators, includes physical / mental safety
• E: voluntary participation, informed consent, knowledge of risk of harm and confidentiality

Question 4

observations: what is qualitative and quantitative data

Answer 4

• qualitative: made subjectively, observations

- quantitative: using numbers / measurement (calculations)

Question 5

what is a hypothesis

Answer 5

• short, succinct, simple and definite statement that links two variables
• can be disproved or supported but never proved

Question 6

designing: what is / are the types of variables

Answer 6

• any factor that may change during an experiment

- independent, dependent, controlled and uncontrolled

Question 7

conducting: what is validity, reliability and objectivity

Answer 7

• V: extent to which experiment tests what it is supposed to test (experimental errors)
• R: extent to which experiment gives the same results each time, suggest ways to make more accurate (sample size / repeated trials)
• O: not allowing your thoughts or feelings to influence how you interpret / record validation (double blind experiment)

Question 8

conducting: what is a peer review

Answer 8

• scientists evaluate eachother work

- aim to ensure it is rigorous, coherent, uses past research, adds to what we know, isn’t repeating past findings

Question 9

how does one record and analyse data

Answer 9

• R: words, diagrams, measurements, graphs (independent v. on horizontal axis)
• A: comparing control and experimental groups, effect of independent v (discussion)

Question 10

what is a scientific experiment

Answer 10

• a way of testing an idea or answer to a question, results will support or disprove idea
• leads to modification or extension of experiment