Unit 3- Part A- Planning a science investigation

This is from the foundation diploma BTEC in applied science textbook

What is a hypothesis?

A prediction based on scientific ideas, made as a starting point for further investigation

What is a null hypothesis?

A prediction which states that there is no relationship between two variables or no difference among groups

What should you think about when planning a science investigation?

• What are you trying to find out from the investigation

• What trend are you expecting to see from your results

When do you apply a null hypothesis?

In situations where you do not expect to find a particular trend or pattern in your results

What piece of equipment would you use to measure out accurately 25cm³ of acid for an acid-base titration?

a pipette

What is the meaning of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) ?

An SOP is a procedure specific to your operation that describes the activities necessary to complete tasks in accordance with industry regulations

What do you need to keep in mind when planning and investigation (link to health)?

You must carry out a risk assessment.

What does a risk assessment involve?

Identifying the hazards and risks associated with the method you are using for the investigation and deciding the best way to minimise risk

What is the definition of risk?

The harm that could be caused by a hazards and the chances of it happening

What is the definition of hazard?

Something which has the potential to cause harm

What must be done to make sure the investigation is valid?

You only change one variable and all the others are kept constant

What is the independent variable?

The variable that you are going to change

What is the dependent variable?

The variable that may change as a result of changing the independent variable

What is the control variable?

The variables that you need to keep constant

What is the meaning of a variable?

Factors that can change or be changes in an investigation

What should a method include?

• a list of the apparatus you will use

• a step by step instructions on how you will perform the investigation

• The number and range of measurements that you will take

• The number of repeat readings you will take

What is the meaning of accuracy?

How close the readings are to the actual value

What is the definition of reliability?

How trustworthy the data is

What is the meaning of precision?

How close repeat readings are to each other

What category would this scenario be?

Two titration results are within 0.1cm³ of each other

Good precision

When planning a scientific investigation, what should you bear in mind (variables and data)

1. How to control the variables that you need to control

2. How to measure or monitor the dependent variable

3. The best way of recording data

4. How you are going to analyse the data or information that you have collected