EMPA (Unit 3) Revision

Booklet
Tables
Things to always include on tasks 1 & 2:
An informative title (describe what the data shows)
Descriptive headings
The units (only one type) in the form pulse rate /bmp
First column containing the independent variable (the thing
that is constant)
Example:
The time taken for starch to be digested by amylase at different
temperatures.

Descriptive
heading that
shows what
the data is
Temperature /degrees C
5
10
15
20
This column
contains the
variable you
control

The title
shows exactly
what the data
represents in
Time taken for Digestion /s
115
101
85
75
The units are
in one form,
not minutes
and seconds
for example

During the data processing section, always add the

mean/rate/percentage change in a different column.
When measuring variables such as pulse rate do NOT use decimals,
as you cant have half a heat beat. Think about it logically.

The units are

behind a
slash,
showing

Calculations in Data Processing

There are three forms of processing data that depend on what data
is available to when you use them.
1. The mean
This is calculated when more then one repeat has been done.
Calculate the sum of the X values and divide it by the number of X
values there are. It is given by the formula:
Sum of the X values

Total number of X values

2. Rate
This is used when you are comparing the amount produced of a
substance/flow/etc. against time.
Rate = Amount produced
Time Taken
It is measured in the units of the amount produced multiplied by
1/time
For example cm3min-1
3. Percentage Change * Ratios

Ratio = Value 1
Value 2

These are used when there is an increase or decrease in a variable

(usually in mass). It allows a fair comparison between results, as
initial values may have been different.

Standard Deviation
This measures the spread of data, and it can only be calculated
when there is more than one repeat.
The larger the standard deviation, the more widely spread the data
is and therefore you have a less reliable mean.
You can compare the standard deviation of two different sets of
data, if the two standard deviation values are far away from each
other and there is no overlap, then the difference is significant and
not due to chance.

There is NO overlap between the S

The S.D. bars overlap a lot, therefore the mean is LESS RELIABLE as there is little difference betwe

Which Graph to Draw?

Bar Chart
Use this when the controlled variable:
Is non-numerical
Discontinuous

Histograms
Use this when the controlled variable:
Is numerical
Classified into groups

Line Graphs

Use this when the independent and dependent

variable are:
Numerical
It is used to show relationships that are
unapparent from tables.

Use logic to determine which to use, its usually straightforward.

Correlation
In scatter diagrams:
The more data points, the more reliable the line of best fit s
A line of best fit may be drawn if there is an obvious
correlation
Scatter diagrams often show correlation. There are generally three
different types.

When answering questions always state the type of correlation.

If you are evaluating, use the phrase correlation does not prove
causation, there may be other factors involved for example(and
give an appropriate example!).
Never join points by a line of best fit, as you can never be sure of
intermediate values.

Drawing a Graph
There are 6 points you should always include:
1. The independent variable (the one you know) goes on the xaxis.
2. Always put the units and a brief description on the axis

3. Use a suitable scale so more of the graph is used. Use a line

break if necessary.
4. Have equal intervals between all values.
5. DONT use circles as points; use crosses as they are more
accurate, Only join them together with a ruler, DO NOT USE A
LINE OF BEST FIT.
6. ALWAYS give it a highly descriptive title.
For Example:
The effect on the mean pulse rate of varying amounts of physical
exercise in humans.
Fully
descriptive
title

Axis
described
with
appropriate
units
Mean pulse rate (beats per minute)

Used
crosses
rather than
dots for
accuracy
Points
joined by
lines rather
than a line
of best fit

Fills more
than half
the graph

Appropriate
scale used
Time spent exercising (seconds)

Explanations

Repeatability

Monitoring a Variable
Confounding Variable

Control Experiment
Sample Size
Subjectivity
Bias

Allocation

Comparisons

Animal Testing

Generalisations

Key Definitions

Improves reliability.
A more reliable mean can be
calculated.
Anomalies can be identified and their
effect on the mean reduced.
Constantly recording the values of the
variable.
A variable that affects the outcome
that is not the dependent variable. It
should be monitored.
An experiment in which the
dependent variable in changed to
ensure it is that affecting the results.
Increasing it improves reliability, as it
is representative of the population.
This is based on personal opinion &
affects validity, for example taste.
If not carried out randomly, it may be
biased as scientists have a vested
interest.
Factors must be considered when
putting people into groups, such as
health, ethnicity, gender etc
Things expressed in per as to
allow a fair comparison, as there may
be other variables affecting the result
e.g. body mass.
You cannot accurately predict the
effects of drugs on humans, as we do
not respond in the same way as
animals.
They love these types of questions, theyre
generally not valid as:
Animals were used and do not react
the same way as humans.
The results are subjective and differ
from person to person
Only one type of .. (e.g. cancer)
was researched.
Not enough repeats carried out.
Standard deviation bars overlap.

Validity Data is valid if the measurements have been made by a

single independent variable only. Controlled experiments and no
bias make results valid.
Repeatability This makes results more reliable.
Accuracy A measurement close to the true value.
Precision Very little spread around the mean value.

Useful Phrases
In analysing graphs:
State the correlation
Correlation does not prove causation, there may be other
factors involved, for example (give an example)
When asking why units are given as per something it makes the
data with different start values/confounding variables comparable.
The advantages of large numbers of people/more repeats:
Able to calculate a more reliable mean
Reduces the effect of anomalies
In blood/oxygen/respiration questions:
Oxygen required for aerobic respiration that produces ATP
ATP is used for muscle contraction
Mitochondria respire to produce it
More detail is needed, depending on the question
Using a control:
Use a denatured enzyme/placebo/etc. to ensure the results
are due to
Enzyme Questions:
Include Enzyme-Substrate Complex & Active Site
Enzymes are proteins
In temperature, the enzyme have more kinetic energy and
collide more often
More (substrate) is hydrolysed
What

do the standard deviation bars suggest?

They overlap/dont overlap
The difference is real/unreal
Data more/less spread

Giving evidence:
Qualitative results
Extrapolation
Small sample size

Lack of text on humans

Mean is low/high

When joining dots, you cannot be sure of intermediate values, as

they havent been measured.