Chapter 5: Investigation — does the evidence support the claim?
Scientific explanations become trustworthy when data, uncertainty and alternative explanations are handled openly.
Part of your national curriculum
- Working scientifically: Select, plan and carry out the most appropriate types of scientific enquiry to test predictions, including identifying independent, dependent and control variables
- Working scientifically: Interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations to draw conclusions
- Working scientifically: Present observations using appropriate methods, including tables and graphs, and communicate ideas using scientific terminology
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations to draw conclusions
Key learning points
- • A model dataset
- • Test a mechanism
- • Analyse honestly
- • Reach a bounded conclusion
This lesson at a glance
- 35 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Watch first
Chapter 5: Investigation — does the evidence support the claim?
See how a controlled investigation becomes a graph and a bounded conclusion.
In a nutshell
Interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations to draw conclusions
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · A model dataset
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
A model dataset
Suppose a beetle population contains light and dark forms. After trees become soot-darkened, surveys find dark beetles rising from 18% to 67% over ten generations. The pattern is an association that needs explanation.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Test a mechanism
A fair investigation could place equal numbers of model beetles on light and dark backgrounds, vary only colour contrast, and record detection by observers. Repeat trials and randomise positions.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Analyse honestly
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Analyse honestly
Calculate proportions, plot generation against frequency and describe the trend. Consider sample size, anomalous results and uncertainty. Correlation alone does not prove that predation caused the population change.
Explore the idea
Part 11 of 17
Learn
Reach a bounded conclusion
A strong conclusion states the pattern, cites numerical evidence, explains a plausible mechanism and names a limitation or further test. It does not claim more than the evidence shows.
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 17
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Dark beetles rise from 18% to 67%. What can be concluded directly?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Chapter 5: Investigation — does the evidence support the claim?
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Dark beetles rise from 18% to 67%. What can be concluded directly?
2. What makes the model-beetle test fair?
3. Which conclusion is strongest?
4. What is the independent variable?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
Not played
Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
How this is going
- Not looked at yet
Select, plan and carry out the most appropriate types of scientific enquiry to test predictions, including identifying independent, dependent and control variables
- Not looked at yet
Interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations to draw conclusions
- Not looked at yet
Present observations using appropriate methods, including tables and graphs, and communicate ideas using scientific terminology