How Science Works Precision Science at Don Valley How small a measurement is. Millimetres are more precise than centimetres because they are smaller. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Accuracy Science at Don Valley How close a measurement is to its true value. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Random errors Science at Don Valley Errors caused by factors we can’t control, like tiny temperature changes in a room. They can also happen if you make a mistake – like pushing the stopwatch button too early. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Systematic errors Science at Don Valley Errors caused by inaccurate equipment, equipment that doesn’t zero properly or by problems with a method. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Reliability Science at Don Valley If someone else can repeat your measurements and get the same results then your results are reliable. Carrying out repeat measurements checks the reliability of your results. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Independent variable Science at Don Valley The variable you change to see what happens. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Dependent variable Science at Don Valley The variable that you measure. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works A fair test Science at Don Valley An investigation or experiment where only the independent variable has been allowed to affect the dependent variable. This means only changing one variable and keeping everything else the same. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Validity Science at Don Valley Your results must be valid if you are going to be able to draw a conclusion from them. To get valid results you need to carry out a fair test. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Continuous variables Science at Don Valley Variables that can have any numerical value. You should use a line graph to show this type of data. Science at Don Valley

How Science Works Categoric variables Science at Don Valley Variables that are described by labels. You should use a bar chart to show this type of data. Science at Don Valley