Home > Subjects > Science > Level 2 > 2.1 Science investigation > Achievement criteria
- Subject: Science
- AS: AS90312
- Level: 2
- Credits: 4
- Internal
Science 2.1 Carry out a practical scientific investigation with supervision
Achievement criteria
An investigation requires you to carry out the complete process to plan, carry out, and report on the investigation. The investigation will be based on a fair test or pattern seeking.
A practical scientific investigation will involve:
- a statement of the purpose – this may be an aim, prediction, or hypothesis based on a scientific idea.
- a method that describes:
- for a fair test: the independent variable and its range, the measurement of the dependent variable, and the control of some other key variables
- for pattern seeking: the data that will be collected, range of data/samples, and consideration of some other key factors
- collecting, recording, and processing data relevant to the purpose
- interpreting and reporting on the findings with a conclusion reached based on the processed data in relation to the purpose of the investigation.
You will have opportunity to make changes to the initial method as you work through your investigation.
The achievement you will get will be based on your ability to carry out a scientific investigation and the quality of the reporting the findings of the investigation.
Achievement
- Carry out a practical scientific investigation.
Achievement with merit
- Carry out a quality practical scientific investigation.
- This means that the method of your investigation will include:
- describing, for a fair test : a valid range for the independent variable, the valid measurement of the dependent variable and the control variables, with consideration of factors such as sampling, bias, and/or sources of error
- describing, for pattern seeking: a valid collection of data with consideration of factors such as sampling bias and sources of errors
- the collection of data consistent with the final method
- recording and processing of data to enable a trend or pattern (or absence) to be determined
- interpreting and reporting the findings
- a valid conclusion based on the interpretation of the processed data that links to the purpose of the investigation
- a discussion of the scientific ideas relevant to the investigation.
Achievement with excellence
- Carry out and evaluate a quality practical biology investigation.
- To evaluate means that you will justify the conclusion in terms of the method used. Justification will involve, where relevant, consideration of the:
- reliability of the data
- validity of the method.
