Starter quiz
- What is the role of an independent variable in an experiment?
- It is the variable being measured.
- It is kept constant throughout the experiment.
- It is what the experimenter changes to observe an effect. ✓
- It changes in response to another variable.
-
- What is the primary reason for recording data in a table during an experiment?
- To make the data look more scientific.
- To ensure data is organised and easy to analyse. ✓
- To occupy more space in the report.
- To avoid using graphs.
-
- When results from an experiment are reproduced by different people or in different places, it is known as...
- 'reproducibility' ✓
- A well-designed scientific experiment should yield the same results regardless of who conducts it. True or false?
- True ✓
- False
- A piece of data that does not fit an obvious trend is known as...
- 'anomalous' ✓
- Match the keywords to the descriptions below.
- Dissolving⇔Solute particles spread throughout the particles of solvent. ✓
- Solubility⇔How well a solute is able to dissolve in a solvent. ✓
- Variable⇔Anything that can change in an investigation. ✓
- Suspension⇔Mixture of an insoluble solid and liquid that will settle. ✓
- Soluble⇔A substance that can dissolve in a specific solvent. ✓
- Insoluble⇔A substance that cannot dissolve in a specific solvent. ✓
Exit quiz
- Data that can only take specific, distinct values is called ______ data.
- 'discrete' ✓
- A scatter graph is the most appropriate choice for representing data when both variables are discrete. True or false?
- True
- False ✓
- Which of the following should always be included when writing a conclusion to an investigation?
- Independent variable ✓
- Dependent variable ✓
- Control variable(s)
- Names of the apparatus used
- The discovered relationship between the variables ✓
-
- When drawing a line of best fit on a graph, any results that are ______ will be ignored.
- 'anomalous' ✓
- What type of graph is typically used when one variable is discrete?
- Pie chart
- Scatter graph
- Bar chart ✓
- Tally chart
-
- Which of the following graphs below show a suitable line of best fit based on the data plotted?
Grey graph
Blue graph
Purple graph ✓
Red graph ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Scientists transfer data to graphs in order to find any trends in the collected data.
- The type of data collected affects the type of graph used to present it.
- A line of best fit can help to identify and describe relationships between variables.
- Conclusions refer to both the independent and dependent variables when describing the data collected.
Common misconception
Pupils commonly confuse discrete & continuous data. They also think lines of best fit are straight.
Link *how* the data is collected to the type of data it is. Stress that best fit lines are just that - a best fit - they aren't exact!
Keywords
Discrete data - Data that can only take distinct values or is a category, e.g. shoe size, number of people.
Continuous data - Data that can be a value within a range, e.g. temperature, mass, height, etc.
Bar chart - Chart showing solid columns to present data; usually used when one variable is discrete.
Scatter graph - A graph in which two continuous variables are plotted. It is used to find if a relationship exists between the variables.
Line of best fit - A line of best fit is drawn through a set of plotted points on a scatter graph, to best show the trend in the data displayed.