Accuracy A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value.
Repeatable A measurement is repeatable if the original experimenter repeats the investigation using same method and equipment and obtains the same results.
Reproducible A measurement is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by another person, or by using different equipment or techniques, and the same results are obtained.
Variables These are physical, chemical or biological quantities or characteristics.
Categoric variables have values that are labels. Eg names of plants or types of material.
Continuous variables can have values (called a quantity) that can be given a magnitude either by counting (as in the case of the number of shrimp) or by measurement (eg light intensity, flow rate etc).
A control variable is one which may, in addition to the independent variable, affect the outcome of the investigation and therefore has to be kept constant or at least monitored. -
The dependent variable is the variable of which the value is measured for each and every change in the independent variable.
The independent variable is the variable for which values are changed or selected by the investigator.

	Created by Peter Hoskins over 11 years ago

The Scientific Method