Ch 21: AQA A-Level Chemistry: Scientific Investigation
About This Chapter
AQA A-Level Chemistry: Scientific Investigation - Chapter Summary
This chapter is designed to prepare you for scientific investigation questions on the AQA A-Level Chemistry test by exploring a wide variety of concepts associated with this subject area. Lessons can give you the refresher you need and ensure you're prepared for the following on exam day:
- Defining and describing scientific research, the scientific method and control groups
- Identifying different kinds of research methods and scales of measurement, and describing research variables
- Explaining how to develop a scientific hypothesis and design an experiment to test a given hypothesis
- Discussing how to determine sample size and evaluate data
- Differentiating between primary and secondary research, and explaining how scientific observations lead to scientific questioning
- Providing details about validity and research, and describing the process of taking safety precautions in science experiments
- Interpreting tables, graphs and charts of scientific data
Feel like an expert in the area of scientific research by taking advantage of the resources in this chapter. Review the lessons as many times as you need, and even use timelines with clickable tags to skip to key topics within videos anytime you want to look over specific details about scientific research. Take the quiz included with each lesson until you pass, and even take it again to test your knowledge before the exam. Gain additional details about the lessons by submitting your questions to our experts. After completing this chapter, you will feel more than prepared for questions on the test.

1. What is Scientific Research?
This lesson will discuss important components of scientific research, including the scientific method, peer review, statistical significance, and more!

2. The Scientific Method: Steps, Terms & Examples
The scientific method is more than just hypotheses and experiments. In this lesson, we'll explore the themes and variations that make up the world of science.

3. What Are The Different Kinds of Research Methods?
This lesson will go over some important research methods, including observation, correlation, and experimentation, as well as examples of each type of methodology.

4. Research Variables: Dependent, Independent, Control, Extraneous & Moderator
This lesson explores the terminology of experimental design. What are variables? How do they influence each other? Is it possible that you are seeing connections that don't actually exist?

5. What is a Control Group? - Definition and Use in Research
In research, many times a condition is compared to a group that doesn't receive treatment. In this lesson, we'll look at what a control group is and why it is important.

6. Scales of Measurement: Nominal, Ordinal, Interval & Ratio
When doing research, variables are described on four major scales. In this lesson, we'll look at the major scales of measurement, including nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales.

7. Developing a Scientific Hypothesis
This video describes how to create a hypothesis and includes the three main things needed to create a strong hypothesis. You'll learn how to make a clear statement that can be both tested and measured.

8. Designing an Experiment to Test a Given Hypothesis
A well-written hypothesis is the key to any well-designed experiment. In this lesson, we'll work through the process of designing an experiment based on the hypothesis it's meant to test and see how the two work to complement each other.

9. How to Determine Sample Size
How many subjects should a researcher use in his or her experiment? In this lesson, we'll examine the elements that go into sample size, including how to figure out how big a sample should be and what real-world issues influence sample size.

10. Primary & Secondary Research: Definition, Differences & Methods
Differentiating between different types of research articles is useful when looking at what has already been done. In this lesson, we explore some of the different types of research articles out there and when they would be used.

11. How Scientific Observations Lead to Scientific Questioning
Scientific observations are a major component of the scientific process because they lead scientists to ask questions about the world around them. These questions may then be refined with continued observation, or they may be tested through experimentation.

12. Validity and Reliability: How to Assess the Quality of a Research Study
Many psychologists and teachers complete research studies. How can you tell if a study was done well? This lesson will cover many criteria for a good quality study, including types of reliability and validity.

13. Interpreting Tables of Scientific Data: Practice Problems
Complex table problems getting you down? Multi-question, situational problems don't have to be a drag on your testing performance. Learn how to apply three simple rules as we walk through two table problems together.

14. Interpreting Graphs and Charts of Scientific Data: Practice Problems
Do charts and graphs make problem-solving difficult? Complex problems with visual representations can drain your brain during a test. In this lesson, learn three simple rules for solving problems with charts and graphs. We'll try them out as we walk through two sample problems.

15. Accuracy, Precision & Types of Errors in Data Evaluation
The data you present as a scientist needs to be as accurate, precise and error-free as possible. In this lesson, we'll discuss what each of these terms means, as well as how error is introduced into measurements and other data collection.

16. Understanding Risks & Taking Safety Precautions in Science Experiments
An important step in designing your experiment involves identifying and evaluating any potential safety risks. Knowing what these risks are ahead of time can help you avoid accidents and dangerous situations, which helps keep the experiment safe and fun for all.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AQA A-Level Chemistry: Practice and Study Guide course
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Atomic Structure
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Amount of Substance
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Bonding
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Periodicity
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Basics of Organic Chemistry
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Energetics
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Kinetics
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Equilibria
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Redox Reactions
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Extraction of Metals
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Haloalkanes
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Alkenes
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Alcohols
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Acids and Bases
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Carbonyl Group Compounds
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Aromatic Chemistry, Amines, Amino Acids & Polymers
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Structure Determination
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Thermodynamics
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Transition Metals
- AQA A-Level Chemistry: Reactions of Inorganic Compounds in Aqueous Solution
- AQA A-Level Chemistry Flashcards