Unit 6
Assignment C&D
Skills developed in the investigative project undertaken
During the initial planning of the investigation, when producing the audit an action plan,
organisation and time management skills were key as the tasks that were required were organised
by what was more important to do and why it should be logically done in this chronological order.
Whilst preparing the literature review, skills developed were things such as being able to research
into the background chemistry of the chosen subject, viscosity and being able to organise
information into a formal review. Knowledge of the chosen subject was improved. This was
beneficial as it allowed understanding of the investigation that was going to be conducted. This will
allow conclusions to be drawn with ease. From researching other people’s investigations, certain
aspects of their methods were picked out and ideas that were thought to be beneficial when
planning the investigation. The effectiveness of their practical's was then analysed.
Furthermore, the skill of planning an investigation individually was improved. While planning the
investigation, the aspects needed to plan included the aim, hypothesis using background research to
support it, equipment and method. This is an essential skill to learn if going into the scientific field
because it shows that you can produce an investigation with an aim to research a chosen subject
independently which is essentially what a scientist’s job entails.
Additionally, skill of producing an effective risk assessment was developed further. This is an
important skill as producing a risk assessment before investigating is required by law, stated in the
Health and safety act 1974. This is because they allow you to create awareness of hazards and risks
and identify who may be a risk. It allowed me to be more hazard aware and think of ways to prevent
these risks and allowed the practical to be carried out effectively and safely. Risks must be low risk
for the investigation to proceed which is important as this means that the practical is relatively safe
for the individuals involved.
Furthermore, the skills of creating a contingency plan were developed. These skills included
identifying hazards and prevention methods and preparing for any situation whilst considering
others. this allowed the project aim to be met. Every possible situation that could occur during the
practical had to be thought about and catered to in order to make the practical as safe as possible.
This is an essential skill when identifying the health and safety of future investigations.
Evaluating skills and analysing have been improved due to having to analyse the effectiveness of the
working plan to see what would be changed next time and pinpoint improvements or effective point
within the working plan. The skill to self-criticise your own work is very important as it allows you to
keep improving and seeing improvements after each working plan. In the future, if working in the
field of science, self-criticism is very important to create improvements in investigations and
alternative and better methods.
Practical skills were developed when conducting the investigation. Skills such as conducting the
measurements accurately and using time management to make sure that the practical did not run
over were used. Using your own initiative was a key skill to be used I order for the practical to run
smoothly.
The results were communicated through a table of results and stats analysis was performed. The skill
of using standard deviation was learnt in order to compare the results. This skill is very important as
it allows a comparison of the results and showed if the results were reliable and precise.
Assignment C&D
Skills developed in the investigative project undertaken
During the initial planning of the investigation, when producing the audit an action plan,
organisation and time management skills were key as the tasks that were required were organised
by what was more important to do and why it should be logically done in this chronological order.
Whilst preparing the literature review, skills developed were things such as being able to research
into the background chemistry of the chosen subject, viscosity and being able to organise
information into a formal review. Knowledge of the chosen subject was improved. This was
beneficial as it allowed understanding of the investigation that was going to be conducted. This will
allow conclusions to be drawn with ease. From researching other people’s investigations, certain
aspects of their methods were picked out and ideas that were thought to be beneficial when
planning the investigation. The effectiveness of their practical's was then analysed.
Furthermore, the skill of planning an investigation individually was improved. While planning the
investigation, the aspects needed to plan included the aim, hypothesis using background research to
support it, equipment and method. This is an essential skill to learn if going into the scientific field
because it shows that you can produce an investigation with an aim to research a chosen subject
independently which is essentially what a scientist’s job entails.
Additionally, skill of producing an effective risk assessment was developed further. This is an
important skill as producing a risk assessment before investigating is required by law, stated in the
Health and safety act 1974. This is because they allow you to create awareness of hazards and risks
and identify who may be a risk. It allowed me to be more hazard aware and think of ways to prevent
these risks and allowed the practical to be carried out effectively and safely. Risks must be low risk
for the investigation to proceed which is important as this means that the practical is relatively safe
for the individuals involved.
Furthermore, the skills of creating a contingency plan were developed. These skills included
identifying hazards and prevention methods and preparing for any situation whilst considering
others. this allowed the project aim to be met. Every possible situation that could occur during the
practical had to be thought about and catered to in order to make the practical as safe as possible.
This is an essential skill when identifying the health and safety of future investigations.
Evaluating skills and analysing have been improved due to having to analyse the effectiveness of the
working plan to see what would be changed next time and pinpoint improvements or effective point
within the working plan. The skill to self-criticise your own work is very important as it allows you to
keep improving and seeing improvements after each working plan. In the future, if working in the
field of science, self-criticism is very important to create improvements in investigations and
alternative and better methods.
Practical skills were developed when conducting the investigation. Skills such as conducting the
measurements accurately and using time management to make sure that the practical did not run
over were used. Using your own initiative was a key skill to be used I order for the practical to run
smoothly.
The results were communicated through a table of results and stats analysis was performed. The skill
of using standard deviation was learnt in order to compare the results. This skill is very important as
it allows a comparison of the results and showed if the results were reliable and precise.
