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Science: Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 Quiz - Reasons for Anomalous Results (Questions)

This Science quiz is called 'Reasons for Anomalous Results' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at middle school. Playing educational quizzes is a fabulous way to learn if you are in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade - aged 11 to 14.

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Anomalous means something that doesn't fit the pattern. In these results - 5, 10, 15, 17, 25, 30 - 17 is an anomaly as it doesn't fit the pattern of going up in 5's. Identifying anomalous results and finding reasons for them is a crucial part of the evaluation of any experiment, not just investigations. If you can see no data that is anomalous, you should state that in your evaluation so that the person marking your work knows that you have considered it.

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Sometimes, in biological experiments, it can be difficult to spot anomalous results. Using a scatter graph with a line of best fit is usually the most effective way. You can quickly see any pattern and spot if any of the points are a long way from it. These can then be identified as anomalous.

There are many possible explanations for obtaining anomalous results. Human errors can lead to data which is anomalous and a lack of precision whilst taking measurements is one possible explanation. Using inappropriate measuring equipment could create problems too. If a linear scale is marked only in cm, it will not be as accurate as one marked in mm because you will have to estimate any readings that fall in between the cm marks. If the equipment is not adjusted to zero correctly before starting the experiment, this can give rise to zero errors which can lead to anomalous data. But it's not just human errors that you need to consider - faulty equipment or even the method of the experiment could be responsible.

When discussing anomalous results in an evaluation, top grade candidates will be very specific when suggesting causes. They will say things such as 'the result at 25oC is higher than expected so the temperature might have gone up when I was taking the reading'. This shows they are using their general scientific knowledge to find reasons for the anomaly - they know that reactions work faster at higher temperatures.

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1. Anomalous data is...
[ ] close to the mean value
[ ] not in agreement with the pattern
[ ] reliable
[ ] unacceptable
2. Zero error is when the equipment is not set to...
[ ] the maximum value
[ ] the minimum value
[ ] a known starting value
[ ] the endpoint
3. A systematic error is due to...
[ ] the equipment used
[ ] random measurements
[ ] actual data
[ ] human error
4. Systematic errors can be identified by...
[ ] calibration
[ ] changing the experiment
[ ] doing a different experiment
[ ] changing the key variable
5. If anomalous data is identified, the experiment can be repeated and this can be recalculated.
[ ] Range
[ ] Mean
[ ] Median
[ ] All parameters
6. Which of these pieces of equipment needs to be set to zero before use?
[ ] Beaker
[ ] Bunsen burner
[ ] Thermometer
[ ] Top pan balance
7. If data is inaccurate, we will do more...
[ ] repeats
[ ] work
[ ] zeroing
[ ] variables
8. Identifying these can lead to increased accuracy and reliability.
[ ] Errors
[ ] Data
[ ] Results
[ ] Average
9. A chart of this type can reveal anomalous data.
[ ] Line graph
[ ] Pie chart
[ ] Scatter graph
[ ] Bar chart
10. If scientists discover anomalous data, they will do this and take an average.
[ ] Repeat many times
[ ] Delete the bad data
[ ] Give up
[ ] Select a different experiment
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Science: Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 Quiz - Reasons for Anomalous Results (Answers)
1. Anomalous data is...
[ ] close to the mean value
[x] not in agreement with the pattern
[ ] reliable
[ ] unacceptable
Anomalous data does not agree with the pattern of the rest of the data
2. Zero error is when the equipment is not set to...
[ ] the maximum value
[ ] the minimum value
[x] a known starting value
[ ] the endpoint
You don't necessarily need to set equipment to zero, although it does make things simpler
3. A systematic error is due to...
[x] the equipment used
[ ] random measurements
[ ] actual data
[ ] human error
Systematic errors lead to anomalous data which is repeated over and over again. This leads to data which can have a high precision but is inaccurate. The main problems can occur if you have to carry out your experiment over a period of several lessons as you may end up using different equipment each time. This will give different systematic errors for individual results
4. Systematic errors can be identified by...
[x] calibration
[ ] changing the experiment
[ ] doing a different experiment
[ ] changing the key variable
This is a high level skill - if you plan to calibrate equipment in your investigation it would impress the marker!
5. If anomalous data is identified, the experiment can be repeated and this can be recalculated.
[ ] Range
[ ] Mean
[ ] Median
[x] All parameters
You only need to repeat the experiment for the readings that were anomalous. If you do this, always include the value(s) of the anomalous data in the evaluation but not in your recalculations
6. Which of these pieces of equipment needs to be set to zero before use?
[ ] Beaker
[ ] Bunsen burner
[ ] Thermometer
[x] Top pan balance
Air currents can affect a balance so make sure it has settled after zeroing and re-zero if necessary
7. If data is inaccurate, we will do more...
[x] repeats
[ ] work
[ ] zeroing
[ ] variables
Using different equipment can identify if the errors are systematic
8. Identifying these can lead to increased accuracy and reliability.
[x] Errors
[ ] Data
[ ] Results
[ ] Average
Most students will focus on human errors, higher level candidates will also try to suggest systematic errors too
9. A chart of this type can reveal anomalous data.
[ ] Line graph
[ ] Pie chart
[x] Scatter graph
[ ] Bar chart
A line of best fit will quickly show you any anomalous results
10. If scientists discover anomalous data, they will do this and take an average.
[x] Repeat many times
[ ] Delete the bad data
[ ] Give up
[ ] Select a different experiment
Repeating the experiment many times and calculating the average can smooth out errors