Controlled Assessment Key Terms

Key terms needed for the GCSE Controlled Assessments (ISAs) taken in GCSE Science.

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  • Created by: David
  • Created on: 07-02-13 21:38
Accuracy
A measurment result is considered accurate if it's judged to be close to the true value.
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Calibration
Marking a scale on a measuring instrument - for example, placing a thermometer in melting ice to see whether it reads zero, in order to check it's been calibrated correctly.
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Data
Information, either qualitative or quanititative, that has been collected.
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Measurment error
The difference between a measured value and the true value.
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Anomalies
Values in a set of results which are judged not to be part of the variation caused by random uncertainty.
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Random error
These cause readings to be spread about the true value, due to results varying in an unpredictable way from one measurment to the next.Random erros are present when any measurement is made and cannot be corrected.
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Systematic error
These cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time a measurment is made.
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How can the effect of random errors be reduced?
By making more measurements and calculating a new mean.
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What are the sources of systematic errors?
The environment, methods of observation or instruments used.
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How can systematic errors be dealt with?
By simple repeats. If a systematic error is suspected, the data collection should be repetated using a different technique or a different set of equipment, and the results compared.
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Zero error
Any indication that a measuring system gives a false reading when the true value of a measured quantity is zero. May result in a systematic uncertainty.
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Evidence
Data which has been shown to be valid.
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Fair test
A fair test is one in which only the independent variable has been allowed to affect the dependent variables.
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Hypothesis
A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations.
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Interval
The quantity between readings - eg. a set of 11 readings equally spaced over a distance of 1 metre would give an interval of 10 centimetres.
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Precision
Precise measurments are ones in which there is very little spread about the mean value. Precision depends only on the extent of random errors - it gives no indication of how close results are to the true value.
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Range
The maximum and minimum values of the independent or dependent variables.; important in ensuring any pattern is detected.
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Repeatable
A measurment is repeatable if the original experimenter repeats the investigation using the same method and equipment, and obtains the same results.
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Reproducible
A measurment is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by another person, or by using different equipment or techniques, and the same results are obtained.
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Resolution
This is the smallest change in the quantity being measured (input) of a measuring instrument that gives a perceptible change in the reading
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Sketch graph
A line graph, not necessarily on a grid, that shows the general shape of the relationship between two variables. It will not have any points plotted and although the axes should be labelled, they may not be scaled.
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True value
This is the value that would be obtained in an ideal measurment.
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Uncertainty
The inteval within which the true value can be expected to lie, with a given level of confidence or probability.
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Validity
The suitability of the investigative procedure to answer the question being asked.
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Valid conclusion
A conclusion supported by valid data, obtained from an appropriate experimental design and based on sound reasoning.
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Variables
These are physical, chemical or biological quantities or characteristics.
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Categoric variable
Categoric variables have values that labels - for example, names of plants or type of material.
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Continuous variable
Continuous variables can have values (called a quanitity) that can be given a magnitude, either by counting (as in the case of the number of plants) or by measurement (eg. flow rate, light intensity).
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Control variable
A control variable is one which may, in addition to the independent variable, affect the outcome of the investigation and therefore has to be kept constant or at least monitored.
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Dependent variable
The dependent variable is the variable of which the value is measured for each and every change in the independent variable.
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Independent variable
The independent variable is the variable for which values are changed or selected by the investigator.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Calibration

Back

Marking a scale on a measuring instrument - for example, placing a thermometer in melting ice to see whether it reads zero, in order to check it's been calibrated correctly.

Card 3

Front

Data

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Measurment error

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Anomalies

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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