Scientific Invest - Approach to Research

Types of systematic errors?

Instrumental, Operational, Environmental, and Theoretical

What does every experiment/investigation start with?

A question, wonder, or an observation

Hypothesis

An informed prediction based on backed up research

Variables

Independent, Dependent, and Control

Independent variable

Variables that are changed

Dependent Variable

The Variable measured

Controlled variable

The variable controlled, staying the same

Why do we need the Scientific Method?

To ensure our results are reliable and robust

Integrity (Ethics)

Total honesty, and truthfulness within experiments and results

Justified (Ethics)

Equal access to information and benefits and individuals are all treated fairly

Beneficial (Ethics)

The research has a positive impact

Non-maleficence

Research is not intended to harm any participants or society

How can simulations and models be used in investigations?

To help predict events, or convey science results without using a live study

Opinion

Personal views or judgements about something

'Valid'

Sound or true experiment that can be supported by other scientific investigations

'Risk Assessment."

A procedure that identifies the potential hazards of an experiment and gives protective measures to minimise the risk

‘Theory'

A well-supported explanation of a phenomenon based on facts that have been obtained through investigations, research and observations

Aim

The outline of the purpose or the key objective of the investigation.

Precision

Refers to how close multiple measurements of the same investigation are to each other.

Accuracy?

Refers to how close an experimental measurement is to a known value.

Reliability

Similar results can be achieved when replicating the method

Validity

The experiment measures what it is supposed to be measuring

Instrumental Error

when a flawed instrument provides inaccurate readings

Operational Error

When a person reads equipment standing in the wrong spot so consistently misreads results

Environmental Error

When problems in lab surroundings lead to inaccuracies (i.e. ambient humidity, temperature, light)

Theoretical Error

a flaw in equations or procedures

Random error

An error that constantly fluctuates and it is unsure to tell what causes it

Random Observational Error

reading something slightly different each time

Random Environmental Error

unpredictable changes in laboratory

'Bias'

Favouring one thing over another

"Double-Blind"

both the scientist and the participants are blinded to the variables in the experiment

Meniscus

the curved surface of a liquid

Correlation

something generally seen happening together

'Reproduceable'

to repeat something and attain the same results

Qualitative Data

Data that is collected as a characteristic

Quantative Data

Data collected as numbers

IV and DV on the axis?

IV: x-axis DV: y-axis

Graph best used to collect Quantative data over a period of time

Line Graph

Column Graph vs Histogram

Histogram has spaces, column graph is pointed upwards

Ordinal Data

Qualatative data that is ordered or categorical

Nominal Data?

Qualitative Data used to name and label variables

Continuous Data

Quantitative Data that can be Measured

Discrete Data

Quantitative Data without any decimal places, whole numbers

Repitition

multiple additions to an experiment to reduce the result of a random chance

To replicate an experiment

done the same experiment again to increase amount of results, test accuracy and reliability

Marie Curie?

Discovered radioactivity in December 1898

Alexander Fleming?

Discovered Penicillin (via a teardrop) in 1928

Isaac Newton?

Discovered Gravity in 1665 or 1666