Experimental Investigations

Practice flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture on experimental investigations, covering essential terms, definitions, and process descriptions.

What is the initial step in scientific investigations?

All scientific investigations begin with an observation.

What does a hypothesis represent in an experiment?

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observation that can be tested.

What is a prediction in the context of scientific experiments?

A prediction is the expected outcome of a scientific test or experiment.

What are independent variables in an investigation?

Independent variables are the variables that are deliberately changed during an experiment.

What distinguishes dependent variables?

Dependent variables are the variables that are measured during the experiment.

Define a fair test in scientific investigations.

A fair test is an investigation in which only one variable is changed, and all other conditions are kept the same.

What is the purpose of a control in an experiment?

A control is a version of the experiment that is identical to the original except that it doesn’t include the independent variable.

What does reliability refer to in scientific experimentation?

Reliability refers to consistency and repeatability in measurement over multiple tests.

How do accuracy and precision differ?

Accuracy refers to how close the experimental measurements are to the true value, while precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other.

What is the difference between primary and secondary data?

Primary data is original data collected by the investigator, while secondary data is data collected by someone else.

Why is integrity important in scientific investigations?

Integrity ensures that data is not fabricated, falsified, or misrepresented and that results are reported transparently.

What should a conclusion in a scientific investigation include?

A conclusion should summarize what was learned, explain relationships between variables, and link findings to the research question and hypothesis.

Identify two types of errors that can occur during experiments.

The two types of errors are systematic errors (consistent bias) and random errors (variability in measurements).

What are qualitative data and give an example?

Qualitative data is non-numerical data that describes characteristics or qualities, such as 'sodium burns with a yellow-orange flame.'

What is the significance of conducting a risk assessment before experiments?

A risk assessment identifies potential hazards and safety precautions needed to minimize risks during an experimental investigation.

What should be included in the headings of data tables?

The headings should include units, e.g., 'Temperature (℃)' rather than just 'Temperature'.