CHAPTER 1 - SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION - Key science skills

Sep 20, 2026

Chapter 1 focuses on scientific investigation as a core component of VCE Biology skills that applies across Units 1 to 4. It guides students to develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses, identify variables, and plan investigations using appropriate methodologies. The chapter emphasizes safety and ethical compliance through risk assessment and relevant occupational health and safety guidelines. It also covers how to generate, record, collate, and present qualitative and quantitative data, including graphing and interpreting relationships.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Scientific investigation

Learning outcomes

Key science skills

Develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses and make predictions

Plan and conduct investigations

Comply with safety and ethical guidelines

Generate, collate and record data

Analyse and evaluate data and investigation methods

Construct evidence-based arguments and draw conclusions

Analyse, evaluate and communicate scientific ideas

CHAPTER 1 | SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION 1 CHAPTER Scientific investigation Learning outcomes The development of a set of key science skills is a core component of the study of VCE Biology and applies across Units 1 to 4 in all areas of study. Chapter 1 scaffolds the development of these skills. It is important to develop, use and demonstrate these skills in a variety of contexts before undertaking investigations and when evaluating the research of others. Although this chapter can be read as a whole, it is best to refer to it and use it when the need arises as you work through other chapters. For example, you may need a refresher on the process of the scientific method. This chapter also contains useful checklists to assist when drawing scientific diagrams, graphing results and completing aspects of your report. Similarly, when performing a practical investigation, refer to this chapter to make sure you collect data properly and that your data is of high quality. Key science skills Develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses and make predictions • identify, research and construct aims and questions for investigation 1.1, 1.2 • identify independent, dependent and controlled variables in controlled experiments 1.1, 1.2 • formulate hypotheses to focus investigation 1.1, 1.2 • predict possible outcomes 1.1, 1.2 Plan and conduct investigations • determine appropriate investigation methodology; case study; classification and identification; controlled experiment; correlational study; fieldwork; literature review; modelling; product, process or system development; simulation 1.1, 1.2 • design and conduct investigations; select and use methods appropriate to the investigation, including consideration of sampling technique and size, equipment and procedures, taking into account potential sources of error and uncertainty; determine the type and amount of qualitative and/or quantitative data to be generated or collated 1.1, 1.3 • work independently and collaboratively as appropriate and within identified research constraints, adapting or extending processes as required and recording such modifications 1.1, 1.2 Comply with safety and ethical guidelines • demonstrate safe laboratory practices when planning and conducting investigations by using risk assessments that are informed by safety data sheets (SDS), and accounting for risks 1.2 • apply relevant occupational health and safety guidelines while undertaking practical investigations 1.2 • demonstrate ethical conduct when undertaking and reporting investigations 1.2 Generate, collate and record data • systematically generate and record primary data, and collate secondary data, appropriate to the investigation, including use of databases and reputable online data sources 1.3, 1.4 • record and summarise both qualitative and quantitative data, including use of a logbook asan authentication of generated or collated data 1.4 • organise and present data in useful and meaningful ways, including schematic diagrams, flow charts, tables, bar charts and line graphs 1.5, 1.6 • plot graphs involving two variables that show linear and non-linear relationships 1.5, 1.6 2 CHAPTER 1 KEY SCIENCE SKILLS continued Analyse and evaluate data and investigation methods • process quantitative data using appropriate mathematical relationships and units, including calculations of ratios, percentages, percentage change and mean 1.5 • identify and analyse experimental data qualitatively, handling where appropriate concepts of: accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility and validity of measurements; errors (random and systematic); and certainty in data, including effects of sample size in obtaining reliable data 1.4, 1.5 • identify outliers, and contradictory or provisional data 1.4, 1.5 • repeat experiments to ensure findings are robust 1.4 • evaluate investigation methods and possible sources of personal errors/mistakes or bias, and suggest

FAQs

What is the purpose of Chapter 1 in VCE Biology?

It scaffolds the development of key science skills that apply across Units 1 to 4 and supports learning across investigations and evaluation of others’ research.

How does the chapter guide students in planning investigations?

It outlines identifying appropriate investigation methodology, designing and conducting investigations, selecting methods, and considering sampling, equipment, procedures, and sources of error and uncertainty.

What skills are emphasized for working with data and drawing conclusions?

The chapter focuses on generating and recording primary and secondary data, organizing it into meaningful representations, analysing quantitative and qualitative results, evaluating methods, and constructing evidence-based arguments and justified conclusions.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan

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