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Module 5: Scientific Investigations
Quick questions on Data analysis, error and uncertainty: HSC Investigating Science Module 5
15short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is summary statistics?Show answer
Mean. Sum of values divided by count. The most common measure of central tendency for normally distributed data.
What is uncertainty?Show answer
Every measurement has uncertainty arising from instrument resolution and natural variation. Standard ways to report:
What is significant figures?Show answer
Report data with significant figures appropriate to the precision of the instrument.
What is random and systematic error?Show answer
Random error. Unpredictable variation between repeated measurements, caused by chance fluctuations. Magnitude varies; direction varies. Random error reduces with averaging.
What is outliers?Show answer
A data point well outside the cluster of others. A common rule is values more than 2 to 3 standard deviations from the mean. Options:
What is graphing?Show answer
Error bars. Vertical lines showing the range or uncertainty around each data point. Mandatory for any quantitative graph in Investigating Science.
What is interpreting in light of the hypothesis?Show answer
1. The treatment effect is larger than the uncertainty in the measurement. 2. The result is reproducible across replicates.
What is mean?Show answer
Sum of values divided by count. The most common measure of central tendency for normally distributed data.
What is median?Show answer
Middle value when data is ordered. Less affected by outliers than the mean.
What is range?Show answer
Difference between maximum and minimum. A simple measure of spread.
What is standard deviation?Show answer
A more rigorous measure of spread that quantifies how tightly values cluster around the mean.
What is random error?Show answer
Unpredictable variation between repeated measurements, caused by chance fluctuations. Magnitude varies; direction varies. Random error reduces with averaging.
What is systematic error?Show answer
Consistent bias in one direction caused by miscalibration, methodological flaw or biased observer. Systematic error does not reduce with averaging.
What is error bars?Show answer
Vertical lines showing the range or uncertainty around each data point. Mandatory for any quantitative graph in Investigating Science.
What is axes?Show answer
Labelled with quantity and unit. Independent variable on the x-axis, dependent variable on the y-axis. Origin clearly marked.