Scientific investigation
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KEY IDEAS In this topic, you will learn that: ✚ ✚
primary data
there are different scientific investigation methodologies it is important to maintain a logbook during practical investigations scientific posters are used to report on an investigation.
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Scientific investigations are a large part of the VCE Biology course. An investigation can be a practical investigation of primary data or a research investigation using secondary data. An individual, a small group or a class may undertake a scientific investigation. However, all the work for the assessment components (logbook and poster) must be completed individually.
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data collected by the investigator from first-hand sources
secondary data
Scientific investigation methodologies
methodology
TABLE 1 An overview of the different scientific investigation methodologies and possible research questions
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data collected by another person, not the investigator, which is relevant to the scientific investigation
the approach used to plan and conduct a scientific investigation with justification
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You can conduct your scientific investigation in a variety of ways. You should choose a type of methodology that would be valid for the aim of the investigation and the research question.
Inquiry method
A good choice when the investigation is based on a certain activity, behaviour, event or problem that contains a real or hypothetical situation.
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Case study
Inquiry outline
Research question example:
aim
‘Could … case study be used to explain …?’
the main purpose of the practical investigation
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For example: Could the ‘Genetics of resistance to HIV infection’ case study be used to explain why some people remain HIV-negative even when exposed to the virus?
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Classification and identification
Classification is investigating phenomena and arranging it into smaller, more manageable groups. Identification is recognising whether phenomena belong to a particular set or are part of a new set. Research question examples: ‘Can a key be used to categorise …?’ ‘Could the … key be adapted to …?’ For example: Can a key be used to categorise the classification of the cave beetle species that was newly discovered in 2018?
Controlled experiment
A practical investigation that looks at the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, where all other variables are controlled. Research question examples: ‘What is the effect of the (independent variable) on the (dependent variable)?’ ‘How is the (independent variable) related to the (dependent variable)?’ For example: What is the effect of temperature on the rate of liver enzyme activity?
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
CHAPTER 1 BIOLOGY TOOLKIT
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