Scientific approaches
Understanding Scientific Approaches
- Hypotheses are proposed explanations for a set of observations, and can be tested through further experimentation.
- An experiment is a procedure performed in a controlled environment to test a hypothesis.
- Experiments should be repeatable, meaning that other individuals should be able to perform the same experiment under the same conditions and achieve the same results.
- Aspects that are manipulated in an experiment are known as variables. They can be independent (manipulated by the experimenter), dependent (measured as a result), or controlled (kept constant to prevent influence on results).
Experiment Design Considerations
- Randomisation minimises biases and helps to ensure that any effects observed are due to the manipulation of the independent variable.
- Replication is the repetition of an experiment. More repetition can help to ensure accuracy and reliability.
- There should be only one independent variable in an experiment. This allows the results to be clearly linked to that variable.
- Control groups are used to compare the effects observed in experimental groups that receive the treatment.
Data Analysis
- Quantitative data involves numerical information and enables statistical analysis.
- Qualitative data involves non-numerical information and is often descriptive in nature.
- Statistical analysis is the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and modelling of data.
- Using appropriate graphs and tables for data representation is key in effectively communicating scientific findings.
Reporting Research
- A methodology section should detail how the experiment was set up and carried out, along with any problems faced.
- The results section presents the data collected and any statistical findings.
- The discussion section includes interpretation of the data, consideration of its implications, and acknowledgement of any potential errors.
- The role of peer review is to validate the research by assessing its quality and relevance before it is published.