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Area of Study 3: How do scientific investigations develop understanding of how organisms regulate their functions?
Survival of organisms requires control and regulation of factors within an organism and often outside an organism. Different types of cells and adaptations enhance an organism’s survival in a particular environment, while homeostatic mechanisms maintain the internal environment.
In this area of study students adapt or design and then conduct a scientific investigation to generate appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative data, organise and interpret the data, and reach a conclusion in response to the research question.
The student-adapted or student-designed scientific investigation relates to knowledge and skills developed in Area of Study 1 and/or Area of Study 2. - VCAA study design 2022 - 2026
Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to adapt or design and then conduct a scientific investigation related to function and/or regulation of cells or systems, and draw a conclusion based on evidence from generated primary data.
Scientific investigations are covered in chapter 5 in the Nelson textbook. All notes about your investigation, including the recording of data, need to be written in your logbook. This will be used for authentication of your work.
Key knowledge
Key knowledge
Investigation design
Investigation design
biological science concepts specific to the selected scientific investigation and their significance, including the definition of key terms
scientific methodology relevant to the selected scientific investigation, selected from: classification and identification; controlled experiment; correlational study; fieldwork; modelling; product, process or system development; or simulation
techniques of primary qualitative and quantitative data generation relevant to the investigation
accuracy, precision, reproducibility, repeatability and validity of measurements in relation to the investigation
health, safety and ethical guidelines relevant to the selected scientific investigation
Key Knowledge
Key Knowledge
Scientific evidence
Scientific evidence
the distinction between an aim, a hypothesis, a model, a theory and a law
observations and investigations that are consistent with, or challenge, current scientific models or theories
the characteristics of primary data
ways of organising, analysing and evaluating generated primary data to identify patterns and relationships including sources of error
use of a logbook to authenticate generated primary data
the limitations of investigation methodologies and methods, and of data generation and/or analysis
Key Knowledge
Key Knowledge
Science communication
Science communication
the conventions of scientific report writing including scientific terminology and representations, standard abbreviations and units of measurement
ways of presenting key findings and implications of the selected scientific investigation.
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