Back
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

fair test

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

A fair test is an experiment that is designed to test the effect of one variable on another variable while keeping all other variables constant. This means that the only difference between the experimental groups is the variable that you are testing.

For example, if you are testing whether different types of fertiliser affect the growth of plants, you would need to use the same type of plant, the same amount of water, and the same amount of sunlight for each type of fertiliser.

If you do not keep all of the other factors the same, you will not be able to tell which type of fertiliser is actually causing the difference in plant growth.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when designing a fair test:

  • Identify the independent variable. The independent variable is the variable that you are changing. In the example above, the independent variable is the type of fertiliser.
  • Identify the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the variable that you are measuring. In the example above, the dependent variable is the growth of the plants.
  • Keep all other variables constant. This means that you need to make sure that everything else is the same for each experimental group.
  • Repeat the experiment several times. This will help to ensure that the results are accurate.
  • By following these guidelines, you can design fair tests that will help you to answer your scientific questions.

How can the word be used?

The scientists conducted a fair test to determine the effects of the drug.

fair test

Different forms of the word

Noun: fair test, controlled experiment.

Adjective: fair, impartial, unbiased.

Verb: to test fairly, to conduct a fair test.

Etymology

The word "fair" comes from the Old English word fǣr, which means "just," "righteous," or "equitable." It was first used in English in the 10th century, and it is still used today to refer to something that is just or equitable.

Question

Why is it important to conduct any experiment as a fair test?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the importance of conducting a fair test in scientific experiments. Describe the key elements of a fair test and how they ensure reliable and unbiased results. Provide a real-life example to illustrate the significance of maintaining fairness in experimental design.

Answer:

A fair test is crucial in scientific experiments as it ensures reliable and unbiased results. In a fair test, all variables, except the one being investigated (independent variable), are kept constant. This eliminates potential confounding factors that could affect the outcome, allowing scientists to confidently attribute any observed changes to the independent variable.

The key elements of a fair test include having a control group for comparison, randomising the sample selection, and replicating the experiment to validate findings. These practices help minimise bias and increase the validity of the results.

For example, in testing the effectiveness of a new fertiliser on plant growth, maintaining fairness would involve using the same type of soil, providing the same amount of water and sunlight, and ensuring similar planting conditions for both the control group (without the fertiliser) and the experimental group (with the fertiliser). This way, any observed differences in plant growth can be confidently attributed to the fertiliser, and the results can be considered reliable and unbiased.