Introduction

Practical Work

Iacovos Pilinas
Year 3 (2010)

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  Definition of useful scientific terms

 Continuous and discrete values

 Drawing a graph

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 Variables

Independent: the Dependent: the Control: the variable that

variable that is variable that changes affects the outcome
varied to see its as a result of changes of the investigation.
effect on the made to the dependent These must be kept
variable constant.
dependent variable

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 Investigating
battery-powered cars

Some students investigate different makes of 1.5 V battery.

The car travels around a track until the battery runs out.
They test each battery with the same car and track.
They time how long each make of battery lasts.

 Which of these is the independent, dependent and

control variable in this investigation?

 A how long each battery lasts

 B the type of car
 C the distance the car travels
4  D the make of battery
  Independent variable: the make of battery

 Dependent variable: how long each battery lasts

 Control variable: the type of car

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 Valid investigation

all variables are kept constant apart from those being

investigated

Validity can be improved by reducing any uncertainties

(or errors)

 Validity is not really about errors caused by human

beings when taking readings.

Validity refers to the technique and apparatus used for

collecting the data
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 Reliable investigation

 The results of an investigation may be

considered reliable if readings are repeated

 The repeated values are close

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 Fair investigation

 A fair test is a series of measurements in

which only the values of one independent
variable and the dependent variable change.

 A fair test can usually be achieved by

keeping all other variables constant, or
controlled.

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 Investigating
battery-powered cars
 The students plan a
second investigation

 The students want to

compare the results of
the two investigations.

 Whose idea would stop

this comparison from
being valid?

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  Donna

 Because the control variable (type of car) will

be different

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 Variables

 Continuous: a variable that can take any

possible value; within its limits.

 Discrete: a variable that cannot take any

possible value; within its limits. It can only
take certain values

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 Examples:

Continuous variables Discrete variables

Time Number of students

Height Vote

Distance travelled Marital status

Temperature Sex

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 Presenting data

 Continuous variables: usually by plotting a

line graph

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 Discrete variables: Bar charts, pie
charts, etc…

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 Plotting a graph

 You need to include:

- Title
- X/Y labels
- Units for both X and Y
- Use at least 50% of the graph paper
- Line of best fit (does not mean straight line!)
- For a bar chart keep the same width of each bar

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 Example: Correct the following graph?

 Data: 10

Speed Time 6

Speed
(m/s) (s)
5

1 1 2

2 2 1

3 3 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4 4 Time (s)

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  No title  Speed vs time

 No units for the y-axis  Speed (m/s)

 The student did not use more than 50% of

the graph paper

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 Use at least 50% of the graph paper

 Even if the student extends the line of best fit

this requirement is not satisfied.

 He/she has to change the scale on x and y

axis.

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 Anomalous points (outliers)

 Measurements that
fall outside the
normal range of
measurements.

 Do not fit the

overall pattern

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  Either, you ignore the anomalous point(s)
and you use all the other points to draw the
line of best fit.

 OR, if you have time, you repeat the

measurement of that point.

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