All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the independent variable in an experiment?
Answer: The factor deliberately changed by the experimenter. The cause being tested in the experiment.
Flashcard 2: What is a source of error when a sensor has low resolution (large smallest scale division)?
Answer: Quantization/rounding uncertainty from limited resolution. Cannot read values between scale markings precisely.
Flashcard 3: Identify the sampling error if fish are counted only near the shoreline to estimate the whole lake population.
Answer: Selection bias (nonrepresentative sampling region). Shoreline fish don't represent whole lake.
Flashcard 4: Identify the error source if a researcher rates outcomes more favorably for the treatment group they support.
Answer: Observer bias (lack of blinding). Unconscious bias toward preferred hypothesis.
Flashcard 5: Identify the error source if lengths are recorded only to the nearest 1cm using a coarse ruler.
Answer: Instrument resolution limitation (rounding uncertainty). Coarse scale limits measurement precision.
Flashcard 6: What does it suggest if a best-fit line systematically misses points in a curved pattern?
Answer: Model mismatch (nonlinear relationship fitted as linear). Wrong mathematical model for the actual relationship.
Flashcard 7: Identify the most likely cause if one data point is extreme and contradicts all repeats taken the same way.
Answer: Procedural mistake or transient disturbance (outlier). Single anomaly suggests measurement error occurred.
Flashcard 8: What is a transcription error in recording results?
Answer: Copying or entering data incorrectly from source to table. Writing down wrong numbers from original data.
Flashcard 9: Identify the error source if a table lists 0.52 but the lab notebook shows 0.25 for the same trial.
Answer: Transcription/data entry error. Numbers don't match between original and final records.
Flashcard 10: Identify the calculation error if 3.0×102 is recorded as 3.0×103 in the results.
Answer: Exponent/place-value error in scientific notation. Wrong power of ten changes value dramatically.
Flashcard 11: Identify the error: Misreading 2×10−3 as 2×103.
Answer: Error: Incorrect scientific notation. Sign error changes value by factor of million.
Flashcard 12: What error occurs when assuming linearity in non-linear data?
Answer: Error: Model misfit. Linear models don't fit curved relationships well.
Flashcard 13: Identify the error: Mixing up dependent and independent variables.
Answer: Error: Incorrect variable identification. Wrong variable assignment affects analysis.
Flashcard 14: What error arises from extrapolating data beyond the range?
Answer: Error: Unreliable predictions. Patterns may not continue outside observed range.
Flashcard 15: What error occurs when ignoring range in data comparison?
Answer: Error: Misleading conclusions. Range shows data spread; ignoring it hides variability.
Flashcard 16: Identify the error: Using 1.0×103 instead of 1.0×106.
Answer: Error: Incorrect order of magnitude. Wrong power of 10 changes value by factor of 1000.
Flashcard 17: Identify the error: Mislabeling axes on a graph.
Answer: Error: Misinterpretation of data. Wrong labels make data uninterpretable.
Flashcard 18: Identify the error: Confusing precision with accuracy.
Answer: Error: Precision is not accuracy. Precision is consistency; accuracy is correctness.
Flashcard 19: What error arises from using a small sample size?
Answer: Increased variability. Small samples have less reliable estimates.
Flashcard 20: What error arises when ignoring systematic errors in measurement?
Answer: Bias in results. Systematic errors create consistent bias in all measurements.
Flashcard 21: What is the definition of a systematic error in an experiment?
Answer: A consistent bias that shifts results in one direction. Creates reproducible deviation from true values.
Flashcard 22: Identify the most likely cause if one data point is extreme and contradicts all repeats taken the same way.
Answer: Procedural mistake or transient disturbance (outlier). Single anomaly suggests measurement error occurred.
Flashcard 23: What is a transcription error in recording results?
Answer: Copying or entering data incorrectly from source to table. Writing down wrong numbers from original data.
Flashcard 24: Identify the error source if a table lists 0.52 but the lab notebook shows 0.25 for the same trial.
Answer: Transcription/data entry error. Numbers don't match between original and final records.
Flashcard 25: Identify the calculation error if 3.0×102 is recorded as 3.0×103 in the results.
Answer: Exponent/place-value error in scientific notation. Wrong power of ten changes value dramatically.
Flashcard 26: Identify the error source if a graph’s y-axis is labeled mL but the data were measured in L.
Answer: Unit mismatch (systematic scaling error). Scale doesn't match actual measurement units.
Flashcard 27: What is the definition of a random error in an experiment?
Answer: Unpredictable variation that causes scatter around a true value. Reduces precision but doesn't bias the average.
Flashcard 28: What is the definition of precision in measurement?
Answer: Closeness of repeated measurements to each other. Repeatability, not necessarily correctness.
Flashcard 29: Which type of error is indicated when all measurements are tightly clustered but far from the accepted value?
Answer: Systematic error (high precision, low accuracy). Consistent offset from true value indicates bias.
Flashcard 30: Which type of error is indicated when measurements are widely scattered around the accepted value?
Answer: Random error (low precision, potentially accurate on average). Scatter without consistent bias indicates random variation.