Year 10 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 10

Depth Study, Planning a Scientific Investigation

Foundation Worksheet

Name
Date
Class

Learning Goals

Warm Up

Fill the gap

Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete each sentence. Use each word once. Two words will not be used.

hypothesis independent dependent controlled secondary correlation conclusion falsifiable primary

1. A directional prediction made before collecting data, written in the form "If X increases, then Y will change because...", is called a .

2. The variable that is deliberately changed or selected in an investigation is the variable, and it is plotted on the x-axis.

3. The variable that is measured in response to the change is the variable, and it is plotted on the y-axis.

4. A variable that is kept constant so it does not affect the result, making the test fair, is a variable.

5. Data collected and published by another organisation, such as the Bureau of Meteorology, is called data.

6. A statistical relationship in which two variables tend to increase together is a positive ; remember it does not by itself prove causation.

7. A useful hypothesis must be , meaning you can imagine a result that would prove it wrong.

Your Turn

Sort it!

Write each item from the pool into the correct column of the table below.

The year, from 1992 to 2022 (what you compare) Bureau of Meteorology temperature records Mean annual sea surface temperature you measure AIMS Long-Term Monitoring Program coral data The same reef location used for every reading Frequency of mass coral bleaching events recorded NASA GISS global surface temperature dataset The same measurement method used each year The CO2 concentration you change/compare over time

Independent variable

Dependent variable

Secondary data source

Show What You Know

1. List, in order, the six stages of a Working Scientifically depth study.

Recall 3 marks

2. What is the difference between primary data and secondary data? Give one example of each.

Recall 2 marks

3. Name two reliable secondary data sources a student could use for an Australian environmental investigation, and state one type of data each provides.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?

Answer Key

For teacher or self-marking use. Accept reasonable wording that shows the same understanding.

Warm Up, Fill the gap

1. hypothesis
2. independent
3. dependent
4. controlled
5. secondary
6. correlation
7. falsifiable
(Not used: primary, conclusion.)

Your Turn, Sort it!

Independent variable: The year, from 1992 to 2022 (what you compare); The CO2 concentration you change/compare over time.
Dependent variable: Mean annual sea surface temperature you measure; Frequency of mass coral bleaching events recorded.
Secondary data source: Bureau of Meteorology temperature records; AIMS Long-Term Monitoring Program coral data; NASA GISS global surface temperature dataset.
(The same reef location used for every reading and the same measurement method used each year are controlled variables, not required in any sort column. If a student places them aside as "controlled," accept this.)

Show What You Know

1. Question, then Hypothesis, then Method, then Results, then Discussion, then Conclusion (must be in this order, 3 marks for full correct order).

2. Primary data is collected first-hand by the researcher (e.g. measuring temperature yourself with a thermometer). Secondary data is collected and published by someone else (e.g. downloading BOM rainfall records). Award 1 mark for the distinction and 1 mark for valid examples.

3. Any two of: Bureau of Meteorology (temperature, rainfall, sea level, cyclones); CSIRO (ocean temperature, sea level, climate datasets); AIMS (coral cover, bleaching events, water quality on the GBR); NASA GISS (global surface temperature anomalies); NOAA Mauna Loa (atmospheric CO2). 1 mark per correct source plus a valid data type.

HSCScience · Year 10 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 10 · Foundation Worksheet