← Investigating Science syllabus
Module 5: Scientific Investigations
7 dot points across 2 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.
Inquiry Question 2: How does the design of a valid experimental investigation allow for the analysis of first-hand data?
- Process, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data, including identifying and accounting for sources of error and uncertainty
A focused answer to the HSC Investigating Science Module 5 dot point on data analysis. Covers means and ranges, error bars, significant figures, random vs systematic error, outliers, and worked HSC past exam questions.
6 min answer → - Evaluate scientific investigations and findings in terms of reliability, validity, accuracy and precision of data
A focused answer to the HSC Investigating Science Module 5 dot point on reliability, validity, accuracy and precision. The four concepts every Investigating Science student must distinguish, with worked HSC past exam questions.
5 min answer → - Plan investigations to ensure that they are valid and reliable, including the use of an appropriate experimental design with consideration of independent, dependent and controlled variables
A focused answer to the HSC Investigating Science Module 5 dot point on variables and experimental design. Covers independent, dependent and controlled variables, control groups, sample size, and worked HSC past exam questions.
6 min answer →
Inquiry Question 1: What are the steps and considerations necessary to plan and conduct a scientific investigation?
- Develop and evaluate questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation
A focused answer to the HSC Investigating Science Module 5 dot point on inquiry questions and hypotheses. Covers what makes a question testable, the difference between a hypothesis and a prediction, falsifiability, and worked HSC past exam questions.
5 min answer → - Communicate scientific understanding using suitable language and terminology, including the role of peer review and replication in confirming scientific findings
A focused answer to the HSC Investigating Science Module 5 dot point on peer review and replication. Covers what peer review does, why it matters, the reproducibility crisis, and worked HSC past exam questions on confirming scientific findings.
5 min answer → - Plan, source and acknowledge primary and secondary data appropriate to the investigation
A focused answer to the HSC Investigating Science Module 5 dot point on primary and secondary data. Covers the distinction, sourcing and acknowledging secondary data, evaluating source quality, and worked HSC past exam questions.
5 min answer → - Conduct risk assessments and consider ethical issues, including the use of animals, plants and humans, in planning a scientific investigation
A focused answer to the HSC Investigating Science Module 5 dot point on risk assessment and ethics. Covers the hierarchy of control, NHMRC ethical guidelines, animal welfare, informed consent, and worked HSC past exam questions.
5 min answer →