Mod 5: Scientific Investigations Notes

Resource Description

Evaluating Methodology

Methodology – a way of going about an investigation

Primary Investigation – An investigation conducted directly by a scientist. These are the types of investigations most people associate with experiments, where an individual or group conducts the investigation and directly collects and analyses the results. E.g. peptic ulcers by Marshall and Warren

Fieldwork – Where a scientist makes direct observations. Unlike a primary investigation, the observer is not changing the conditions they are observing, merely observing interactions. E.g. Jane Goddall studying chimpanzees

Locating and using information sources – Where a scientist examines the results from another scientist’s experiment. Also known as a second-hand investigation, this is commonly used in areas such as genetics, where large amounts of data can be collated and compared to work out the genes responsible for certain conditions e.g. genetics to collate and compare larger amounts of data