IBBiology @Skyline High School

                                                                                                                                                                     

 

Science of Biology (6 days)

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Assessment Statements:

1.1.1       State that error bars are a graphical representation of the variability of data.

 

1.1.2       Calculate the mean and standard deviation of a set of values.

 

1.1.3       State that the term standard deviation is used to summarize the spread of values around the mean, and that 68% of the values fall within one

              standard deviation of the mean.

 

1.1.4       Explain how the standard deviation is useful for comparing the means and the spread of data between two or more samples.

 

1.1.5       Deduce the significance of the difference between two sets of data using calculated values for t and the appropriate tables.

 

1.1.6       Explain that the existence of a correlation does not establish that there is a causal relationship between two variables.

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What You Need to Know

  • Identify variables (MV, RV, CV) in descriptions of experiments.

  • Know the general sequence of the scientific process.

  • Explain the need for a control group whenever experiments are performed.

  • Know how to calculate range and mean given a set of data.

  • What is standard deviation and why is it used?

  • How is standard deviation calculated?  The equation will be provided.

  • Based on a graph with standard deviation error bars, when are results significantly / not significantly different?

  • What is a T-test and why is it used?

  • How is t-test calculated?  The equation will be provided.

  • What is the difference between a correlation and causation?

  • Determine the uncertainty of various measurement tools (beaker, flask, ruler, watch…)

  • Measure with precision (the correct number of digits).

 

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Unit Activities List:  

Science of biology unit (doc)

Data table expectations (pdf)

Science process packet (doc)

Precision practice lab (doc)

Answers for precision practice lab (doc)

Review of measurement uncertainty (pdf)

Review uncertainty and precision (pdf)

Mock score FDQ data tables of precision practice (doc)

Standard deviation notes (pdf) using this template (doc)

Biostatistics practice problems (doc)

Click here for calculating SD with tools

Click here for tips for Excel graphing

T-test notes (pdf) using this template (doc)

Correlation / Causation notes (pdf) with this template (doc)

 

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Key Terms:

 

  • accuracy
  • alternative hypothesis
  • bar graph
  • causation
  • control group
  • controlled variable
  • correlation
  • degrees of freedom
  • error bar
  • experimental error
  • experimental group
  • histogram
  • hypothesis
  • “levels” of the MV
  • line graph
  • manipulated variable
  • mean
  • null hypothesis
  • observation
  • pie chart
  • precision
  • processed data
  • raw data
  • responding variable
  • sample size
  • standard deviation
  • statistically significant
  • T-test
  • uncertainty
  • validity measure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Helpful Links:

 

"When we tug at a simple thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world."  John Muir