key science skills

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standards for research questions:

• testable

• achievable

• specific

dependent variable (DV)

the factor(s) measured in the experiment that’re changed when the IV is manipulated

independent variable (IV)

the factor(s) that are manipulated in the experiment

controlled/constant variable

a factor that’s kept constant throughout the experiment

extraneous/uncontrolled variable

a factor that’s not kept constant or accounted for through the experiment

method

the steps followed in a scientific investigation

methodology

the strategy or framework follwed in a scientific investigation

types of methodology

• case study

• classification and identification

• controlled experiment

• correlational study

• fieldwork

• literature review

• modelling

• product, process, or system development

• simulation

case study

an investigation of an event or problem that involves a real or hypothetical situation

classification and identification

the arrangement of individuals or objects into manageable sets, using identification to recognise where new individuals belong in these sets

controlled experiment

an investigation into the effect of an independent vairable on a dependent variable, whilst keeping other factors constant

correlational study

observing and recording events that have not been manipulated or controlled to understand associations that exist between variables

fieldwork

a correlational study or controlled experiment set up outside a controlled environment

literature review

the collation and analysis of other people’s scientific findings or viewpoints concerning a particular topic

modelling

the construction of a model or representation that approximates an object or event

product, process, or system development

design of an object, process, or system to meet a human need.

simulation

the process of using a model to observe and predict what may happen in a real or theoretical system

repeatable

an experiment using the same methods designed by the SAME group done by the SAME group that can obtain the same result multiple times

reproducible

an experiment using the method designed by ANOTHER group done by ANOTHER group that can obtain the same result multiple times as the original group’s experiment

valid 

a measurement or expierment that actually tests what it claims to be testing

experimental group

the group in which the independent variable is manipulated

control group

the group that’re not exposed to the independent variable

precise

how close measurements align with each other

accurate

how close measurements are to the true value

true value

the value that would be obtained by a perfect measurement without the influence of errors

population

set of individuals that’re studied in a scientific investigation

sample

a subset of the larger population being studied

representative sample

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population

unbiased sample

a sample that is unaffected by a scientist’s expectations

types of sampling

• random sampling

• systematic sampling

• stratified sampling

• convienence sampling

random sampling

each member of the population is equally likely to be included in the sample

systematic sampling

involves taking samples at regular intervals along an environmental gradient (such as depth, soil type, rainfall, altitude, or temperature)

stratified sampling

when a population has clearly defined characteristics, and then is sampled proportionately from each trait

convenience sampling

sample taken from a group of individuals who’re easy to reach

types of errors

• personal

• systematic

• random

personal errors

errors made by the experimenter

e.g counting incorrectly, rounding to the wrong decimal place, labelling samples incorrectly

systematic errors

errors which cause the results to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time

e.g faulty calibration or equipment

random errors

errors caused by unpredictable variations in the measurement process and lead to a spread in results

primary data

results collected from sources undertaken by the researcher

secondary data

results from sources other than the researcher’s own investigations

raw data

results that haven’t been processed, manipulated, or formatted for use

numerical data

measured quantitatively, as a number

• continous

• discrete

continous data

data that can take any value between a set of real numbers

(decimals and fractions)

discrete data

data that can be counted and takes a particular value

cannot take fractions 

catergorical data

measured qualitatively, sorted by characteristics

• ordinal

• nominal

ordinal data

data that can be logically ordered (size, etc)

nominal data

data that cannot be organised in a logiccal sequence (e.g gender)

correlation

when there’s a relationship between two variables

causation

when change in one variable leads to reliable change in another

ethics

helps individuals exercis moral judgement and determine what is right and wrong

bioethical approaches

• consequences-based

• duty/rule-based

• virtues-based

consequence-based

an approach that aims to maximise positive outcomes while minimising negative outcomes

duty/rule-based

an approach that promotes the responsibility of the agent above all else, and places importance on the duty of each individual

virtues-based

an approach that emphasises the individual goodness of the agent, and promotes acting in accordance

ethical concepts

• integrity

• justice

• beneficence

• non-maleficence

• respect

integrity

an ethical concept that encourages a full commitment to knowledge and understanding as well as the honest reporting

justice

an ethical concept that encourages fair consideration of competing claims, and ensures that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action

beneficence

an ethical concept that seeks to maximise benefits when taking a particular position or course of action

non-maleficence

an ethical concept that discourages causing harm

respect

an ethical concept that encourages the acknowledgment of the intrinsic value of living things, and considers the welfare, beliefs, customs, and cultural heritage of both the individual and the collective