Types of Error in Science

Why should an experiment be repeated?

• to form a hypothesis
• to reduce the chance of error
• to change controls
• to identify the problem

How many independent variables should be tested at a time in a scientific investigation?

• none
• one
• two
• three

The variable that is changed on purpose is: 

• Control
• Dependent
• Independent
• Outcome

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

When experimenting with the growth of a plant, a scientist uses three plants, two different fertilizers, equal light, and equal water. What type of variable is the water?

• Dependent
• Independent
• Control
• Outcome

A biology class of 24 students decides to measure the height of each student and then calculate the average height for the class. Which of these is a possible source of error in this activity?

• The total number of students in the class

• The number of males and females in the class

• The difference in the ages of the students in the class

• The accuracy of making and recording measurements

What are possible sources of error? (list all that apply)

• no control

• testing 2 variables

• not having controlled variables (constants)

• accuracy of measurements

Which of these is NOT true for systematic errors?

• They arise due to errors in the measuring instruments used.

• Repeating the observations or increasing the sample size can eliminate them

• They are reproducible inaccuracies that are consistently in the same direction.

• They arise from the design of the study.

Which of these is NOT true for random errors?

• They are difficult to detect.

• They do not arise from the design of the study.

• They are less likely for small sample sizes.

Systematic errors lead to a lack of:

• accuracy in the measurement.

• significant digits in the measurement.

• precision in the measurement.

• gradation of the measuring instrument

Random errors lead to a lack of:

• accuracy in the measurement.

• significant digits in the measurement.

• precision in the measurement.

• gradation of the measuring instrument