Bias and Error in Science. Write notes in this color!!!

Definitions : evidence ‘evidence’ is data which is judged to be relevant. For example: When you investigate cooling: the temperature data is relevant, so it is evidence. The length of the thermometer is not relevant, so it is not evidence.

Definitions : evidence ‘evidence’ is data which is judged to be relevant. The evidence needs be: Reliable and Valid.

Reliability Reliable data is evidence you can trust. If someone else did the same experiment, they would get the same result. Your evidence will be more reliable if you repeat your readings.

Bias Bias Bias is Very Bad! Notes Science SPI 0807.Inq.5 Bias and Error Notes Science Bias: this means you are prejudiced towards or against something and that you allow your views to affect the results of your experiment. Science is about obtaining accurate results so bias should NEVER be allowed to influence your experimental results! Bias is Very Bad! Bias Bias

Example: You are doing research to determine which NFL quarterback has the greatest accuracy with throwing a football, and your favorite football team is the Tennessee Titans. You are disappointed to learn that the Titans' quarterback is the second most accurate instead of the first. Yet because this is your favorite team, you change the data so that this quarterback appears to be the most accurate. This is BIAS, and it should NEVER be allowed in science.

Identify the bias or error in this situation Example: Bubba loves extra salt on his “French-fried taters.” He conducts an experiment to determine how much better french-fries taste with lots of extra salt. Identify the bias or error in this situation ANSWER: Because Bubba likes extra salt on his fries, he wrongly assumes that everyone else will like extra salt too. He is biased toward salt, so his results will contain errors. BIAS should NEVER be allowed in science experiments!

BIAS should NEVER be allowed in science experiments! A Case of Bieber Fever Two students who love Justin Bieber’s music do an experiment to measure how long people have to hear one of Justin’s songs before they too fall in love with his sound. Question: Which choice below most likely will occur in this case? A) Bias C) Song and Dance B) End of the world D) World Peace Answer: These two students are biased towards Justin Beiber, so their results will probably be biased and wrong too. BIAS should NEVER be allowed in science experiments!

Solutions to Bias in Science SPI 0807.Inq.5 Bias and Error Notes Science Solutions to Bias in Science Humans are imperfect, so bias happens both intentionally and unintentionally. Ways to Reduce and/or Eliminate Bias Be aware that bias can and does happen. Strive to recognize it, and eliminate it from your experiments. Follow the steps and principles of the scientific method. Most importantly, make sure that others rigorously review your work looking for bias.

Notes Science Errors in Science SPI 0807.Inq.5 Bias and Error Notes Science Errors in Science Avoid Mistakes: One small error can result in all your experimental data being wrong. So scientists work very hard to avoid making mistakes. Peer Review: One key way scientists deal with this issue is by having other scientists review their work to check for mistakes. This very common practice is called peer review.

What is an error? An error is a mistake of some kind... …causing an error in your results… …so the result is not accurate.

Notes Science To Avoid Mistakes: SPI 0807.Inq.5 Bias and Error Notes Science To Avoid Mistakes: Make sure you are following the steps of the scientific method. Make sure you have only one independent variable at a time. Make sure you correctly identify your dependent variables. Make sure you include valid control experiments. Make sure you record in detail every step of your experiment. Ask someone else to review all your work (peer review).

Human error Example 1 Professor Messer is trying to measure the length of a piece of wood: Discuss what he is doing wrong. How many mistakes can you find? ( Hint there are 6 mistakes)

Human error Measuring from 100 end 95.4 is the wrong number Answers: Measuring from 100 end 95.4 is the wrong number Hand-held object, wobbling Gap between object & the ruler End of object not at the end of the rule He is on wrong side of the rule to see scale. How many did you find?

Random errors These may be due to human error, a faulty technique, or faulty equipment. To reduce the error, take a lot of readings, and then calculate the average (mean).

Reliability For example: 3 students measure the time for 1 swing of a pendulum: Jo measures 1 swing. Emma measures 1 swing, but 20 times, and calculates the average (mean) time. Jack measures 20 swings and divides the time by 20. Physics for You page 359 Discuss which method is the most reliable, and why.

SPI 0807.Inq.5 Bias and Error Questions Science

SPI 0807.Inq.5 Bias and Error Questions Science

SPI 0807.Inq.5 Bias and Error Questions Science

SPI 0807.Inq.5 Bias and Error Questions Science