Module 1 observations as evidence
How does primary data provide evidence for further investigation?
The investigating science course is multidisciplinary and develops students' abilities to engage with scientific processes to investigate personal, community and global scientific issues.
Investigating Science:
- is designed for all students and may be differentiated to suit school contexts
- promotes active inquiry and the planning and conducting of evidence-based investigations
- provides opportunities for problem-solving and making informed scientific decisions
- lets students engage in examples and situations that relate to biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics
- is designed to complement the study of other science disciplines
- provides additional opportunities for students to develop capability and capacity in critical thinking, problem-solving and developing and communicating evidence-based arguments and making informed decisions.
All scientific investigations rely on detailed, accurate observations and measurements. The collection of primary, qualitative and quantitative data allow scientists to formulate ideas, describe their observations, find relationships and pose questions for further investigation.
Understanding and using the scientific process ensures that investigations are valid, accurate and reliable and can withstand testing and evaluation. Students ask and pose questions to investigate, make predictions and gather scientific evidence.
They plan practical investigations that involve formulating hypotheses, determining independent, dependent and controlled variables and assessing risks.
Students explore how the tools used for observation and technologies available can affect the kind of data collected.
Syllabus
Please note:
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Investigating Science Stage 6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017.