AICE Marine Science Practical Skills Vocab

Hypothesis

an experiment of an observation that can be tested through experimentation

Variable

a condition in an experiment that can be controlled or changed

Theory

a well-sustained explanation of an aspect of the natural world that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation

Qualitative data

descriptive data about a variable (Ex. color or behaviour)

Quantitative data

numerical data that gives the quantity, amount or range of a variable (Ex. concentration of oxygen or number of eggs laid)

Prediction

a statement of the expected results in an experiment based on the hypothesis being tested

Independent variable

the variable being changed in an experiment

Dependent variable

the variable being measured in an experiment

Control experiment

a group within an investigation or study that receives exactly the same treatment as the experimental groups with the exception of the variable being tested

control variables

variables that are not being tested but that must be kept the same in case they affect the experiment

Confounding variable

a variable that could affect the independent or dependent variable and therefore the results of the experiment

Water bath

a container of water heated to a given temperature which can be used to either vary or control the temperature

Buffer

a solution which can maintain a relatively stable pH

Reliable

results that can be replicated by other people

Anomaly (anomalous)

a result or observation that deviates from what is normal or expected; in experimental results, it normally refers to one repeated result that does not fit the pattern of the others

Precision (in measurements)

the level of refinement in a measurement as shown by the number of significant figures given

Precision (in experiments)

this refers to the closeness of the measurements to each other; precise measurements are close to each other and there is little spread about the mean

Accuracy

ensuring that measurements are close to the true value

Line graph

a graph which is drawn to show the relationship between two continuous variables

Histogram

a graph which is drawn to show the frequency of one continuous variable

Bar chart

a graph which is drawn to show the relationship between one continuous and one discontinuous variable

Continuous variable

one which can take any value (Ex. temperature, time, concentration)

Discontinuous variable

one which can only take certain values (Ex. human blood type or eye color)

Systematic error

a consistent error which affects each measurement in the same way, normally caused by faulty measuring equipment or difficulties in reading that equipment

Random error

an error in measurement which is caused by factors which vary from one measurement to another