Environmental Science Key Terms

accuracy

a measurement value is considered to be accurate if it is judged to be close to the 'true' value of the quantity being measured. Accuracy is not quantifiable; measurement values may be described as being more accurate or less accurate.

precision

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.

repeatability

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, the same measuring instrument used under the same conditions, the same location, and repetition over a short period of time.

reproducability

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

true value

the value that would be found if the quantity could be measured perfectly.

validity

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.

Personal errors

include mistakes, miscalculations and observer errors such as parallax errors.

Random errors

affect the precision of a measurement and are present in all measurements except for measurements involving counting. Random errors are unpredictable variations in the measurement process and result in a spread of readings. The effect of random errors can be reduced by making more or repeated measurements and calculating a new mean and/or by refining the measurement method or technique.

Systematic errors

affect the accuracy of a measurement. Systematic errors cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time a measurement is made, so that all the readings are shifted in one direction from the true value. The accuracy of measurements subject to systematic errors cannot be improved by repeating those measurements.

Uncertainty

The uncertainty in a measurement indicates the range of values in which the true value is expected to lie. VCE Environmental Science requires only a qualitative treatment of uncertainty. When evaluating personally sourced or provided data, students should be able to identify contradictory, provisional and incomplete data including possible sources of bias.

Outliers

Readings that lie a long way from other results are sometimes called outliers. Repeating readings may be useful in further examining an outlier.

Stakeholder

An individual, group or organisation involved in decision-making related to an environmental case study, project or issue.

Stakeholder knowledge

The scientific, technical and experiential knowledge held by a stakeholder.

Stakeholder values

The set of principles, standards and/or qualities that a stakeholder holds in high regard and that determines the way the stakeholder chooses actions and evaluates events.

Earth systems thinking

Consideration of the connections and interactions between Earth's four systems - atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere - that support and sustain ecological integrity.

Circular economy thinking

A circular economy is based on the principles of keeping products and materials in use, designing out waste and pollution, and regenerating natural systems. Circular economy thinking aspires to create a closed-loop system where the waste outputs from one activity become the inputs for a different activity, with the ultimate aim of no waste.

Anthropocentrism

Regards humankind as the central or most important element of existence.

Biocentrism

Based on the premise that all living things have the right to exist.

Ecocentrism

Recognises the ecosphere as being of central importance, and attempts to redress the impacts associated with anthropocentrism.

Technocentrism

Centred on technology and its ability to control and protect the environment, with environmental problems being seen as challenges to be solved using rational, scientific and technological means.