Unit 3 booklet

Unit 3 booklet

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  Diploma in AppliedScience (Forensic Science) UNIT 3 SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
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  Diploma in AppliedScience (Forensic Science) Unit 3 Scientific Investigation Aims and purpose The aim of this unit is to enable learners to explore the protocols associated with scientific investigations. The unit is based around working as a research scientist, setting up an idea, testing it and then reporting the findings. Unit introduction In many research and development, analytical and pilot scale laboratories technicians are employed to safely carry out new practical investigations following prescribed laboratory procedures and repeating them to ensure consistent results are obtained. This science practical investigation unit is designed to allow learners to develop and demonstrate their science knowledge, practical and project management skills. The investigation should be carried out in stages where learners should discuss with their tutor how they will plan, carry out and analyse the results of their experiment and present it as a scientific report. Learners may be asked to carry out a practical investigation that has been designed by somebody else or to suggest their own design. The topic chosen for the scientific investigation will depend on the course pathway the learner is following and the resources and equipment available. This unit places an emphasis on Health and Safety issues and on the learner’s ability to plan, implement their ideas, collect and use data and draw conclusions from the results of the investigation. One investigation should be used to cover all the outcomes, although the experiment may be repeated on several occasions to ensure that the results are correct and accurate. It is not intended that learners should use skills, techniques and information gained from other units. This unit may be linked with many other units in the programme but it is intended that the investigation used is chosen specifically for this unit. Learning outcomes On completion of this unit a learner should: 1. Be able to plan an investigation relevant to the area of study 2. Be able to undertake the planned investigation, using appropriate scientific principles 3. Be able to collect, collate and analyse the results from the investigation 4. Be able to draw conclusions from the investigation.
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  Diploma in AppliedScience (Forensic Science) Task 1 You are working for a company making electrical power lines and due to the recenrt austerity measures brought in by the coalition government you have been asked to review material selection for these power lines. Resistance is what causes millions of pounds of waste due to loss of electrical energy via heating. How can this be reduced? P1 state the objectives and hypothesis relating to the investigation P2 produce a list of relevant research resources using a recognised protocol for recording them P3 produce a realistic working plan for the experiment including health and safety assessments M1 analyse the research information and discuss its relevance to the planned experiment D1 evaluate the different approaches considered for the investigation, justifying the hypothesis chosen You need to complete the following task • State what you plan to achieve P1 • Produce a concise hypothesis P1 • Use research notes, and list your notes in rough according to the suggested protocol ready to reproduce them for your final report P2 • Draw a table of your research references showing the information from each concerning your chosen topic of investigation. Analyse which ones are relevant to your work and which ones are not and discuss giving reasons M1 • Write out a method P3 • Outline any other methods you may have considered and give reasons to justify your final choice D1 Grading tips To achieve P1, P2 and M1 make sure you provide good points of reference and background information from many sources. List each source as you work through them. To achieve P3 include descriptions of the main aspects covered in ‘Method’ in the textbook. There are various ways to approach the investigation, make sure you evaluate them fully to achieve D1 Deadline:_____December 11th___________
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  Task 2 You arenow ready to test your wires to determine ways to reduce resistance. There are new recruits who have just started working for the company who need to be shown Good Laboratory Practice. Show them how it is done. P4 demonstrate the required manipulative skills to assemble relevant equipment and material P5 safely carry out the planned investigation P6 demonstrate the ability to accurately record the results obtained, using scientific protocols M2 justify the choice of experimental techniques (and their modification if any) as a means of increasing accuracy, reliability and validity D2 evaluate the effectiveness of the investigative procedures, suggesting how these could be improved You need to complete the following task • Arrange and assemble your apparatus from your working plan, following health and safety guidelines P4 • Carry out your practical activity using GLP, observing safe working practices and demonstrating good manipulative and observational skills P5 • Make notes of your observations and measurements in a suitable format P6 PART • Justify why the equipment you are using is suitable. Comment on any alternative methods to achieve the same results, and include a discussion on the accuracy and precision of the methods used M2 • Evaluate your procedure and provide a detailed list of improvements that could be made to your procedure D2 Grading tips Identify the apparatus needed and place at your workstation ready to assemble for P4. A practice run may be a good idea. Exaggerate your observations to make sure your tutor witnesses your work for P5. To achieve P6 your work must be accurately recorded. For M2, make a list of modifications you made to complete the activity. To achieve D2, break down the procedure into a series of steps and outline improvements at each step explaining how the change may affect the outcome. Deadline _______December 18th 2010__________
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  Task 3 You arenow ready to show your data that you have obtained from the investigation. It is to be presented to your peers so they can verify your findings. Use a variety of forms of information to present your data properly. P6 demonstrate the ability to accurately record the results obtained, using scientific protocols P7 analyse the results obtained using appropriate statistical techniques M3 justify the statistical techniques used by relating them to the validity of their findings You need to complete the following task • Produce a table of results for an investigation which includes correct units, accuracy of recording and precision to acceptable significant figures (P6) PART • Conduct statistical tests to analyse your data and draw a conclusion (P7) • Comment on the method you used to analyse the data. Does the conclusion meet your expectations and does the statistical method provide evidence for this? (M3) Grading tips To achieve P6 your notes taken during the practical should be sufficient as long as they are neat. Work through your maths carefully, keeping track of your units (if any) and prefixes. Get them checked by friends, or tutors to get P7. To complete M3, a graph may help. Is the chosen statistical method the most appropriate? Deadline _______January 8th 2011__________
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  Task 4 You havenow had your investigation checked by your peers so it is now time to publish your work for your department manager. The findings from your work will be used to inform the companies long-term planning when selecting how to build new power lines more cost- effectively. This is due by the end of the week. P8 explain the conclusions gained from the investigation P9 present the conclusions in a format that uses accepted scientific protocol and language. M4 justify the conclusions made, drawing on primary and secondary research data. D3 using scientific protocols evaluate the outcomes of your investigation. You need to complete the following task • Present your results in tables or graphical forms (P9) • Draw conclusion from these, explaining any relationships which may appear in the results, and if the results confirm or negate your hypothesis (P8) • Provide sound reasons for your conclusions and reinforce your points with research information (M4) • Evaluate the reliability of your findings and the investigation technique, including suggested improvements or possible further testing (D3) Grading tips Tables and graphs must be labeled with the correct units. Scatter points must be small and accurately displayed on suitable graph paper to achieve P9. This then be explained clearly what they are showing for P8. Give a clear statement from background research and attempt to link it to your results for M4. Try to demonstrate the quality of your investigation to the reader by considering every stage within your report to achieve D3. Deadline ________January 15th 2011_________
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  Outline of evidencerequirements Assessment Assessment Description Complete Assignment criteria state the objectives and hypothesis relating P1 3.1 to the investigation produce a list of relevant research P2 resources using a recognised protocol for 3.1 recording them produce a realistic working plan for the P3 experiment including health and safety 3.1 assessments analyse the research information and M1 discuss its relevance to the planned 3.1 experiment evaluate the different approaches D1 considered for the investigation, justifying 3.1 the hypothesis chosen demonstrate the required manipulative P4 skills to assemble relevant equipment and 3.2 materials P5 safely carry out the planned investigation 3.2 justify the choice of experimental techniques (and their modification if any) as M2 3.2 a means of increasing accuracy, reliability and validity evaluate the effectiveness of the D2 investigative procedures, suggesting how 3.2 these could be improved demonstrate the ability to accurately record P6 the results obtained, using scientific 3.2, 3.3 protocols analyse the results obtained using P7 3.3 appropriate statistical techniques justify the statistical techniques used by M3 3.3 relating them to the validity of their findings explain the conclusions gained from the P8 3.4 investigation present the conclusions in a format that P9 uses accepted scientific protocol and 3.4 language. justify the conclusions made, drawing on M4 3.4 primary and secondary research data. using scientific protocols evaluate the D3 3.4 outcomes of your investigation.