Topic Six (1.6): Evaluating data

Topics Icon.png Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  • describe the stages of evaluating data
  • suggest ways to improve a practical investigation.

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

Evaluating data is an important skill in Science. You will need to evaluate results you have collected yourself and also evaluate those from other researchers. You need to know how to evaluate the method used and then think about how it could be improved. 'Real' scientists do this all the time - refining their investigations to find out whether their hypotheses are true when they repeat their investigations with one small change.

Interact Icon.png Working through your coursebook

  • Read pages 20-21 in Activate 1.

WATCH - MINI CLIP 8 – Evaluating Data (Kerboodle)

COMPLETE - Planning Worksheet (Section 7 only) 

    • Explain what you have found out. 
    • Did your results agree with your original hypothesis? 
    • How could you improve your data? 
    • What could you do to make your experiment more reliable? 
    • What could you do to make it more accurate? 

Review Icon.png Review

Answer the Summary Questions on page 21 of Activate 1.

COMPLETE – (Question 6) Working Scientifically Vocab Builder 1 (Kerboodle)

Bridge Icon.png Support activity for this topic

COMPLETE WS1 1.7 Support: Evaluating Data (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]

Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

Want to understand a bit more about random and systematic errors? Watch the video below:

Download Icon.png Check your answers

CHECK - Student Book Answers - Working Scientifically (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]

CHECK – Evaluating data answers (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]

CHECK - Planning Worksheet - Specimen Answer (Section 7) 

Quiz Icon.png Quiz

Before you carry on with the rest of the module, check your understanding of how to carry out a scientific investigation using this PowerPoint. (You should be able to view it in Google Slides as well as PowerPoint - just download the file, open it, view the slideshow and click on the correct letter option and then on the arrow, to go back for a wrong answer or forward if a correct answer):

DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE - Scientific Enquiry Quiz ppt (twinkl) [Not available on sample course]