List of skills
Glossary
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Account:
Account for: state reasons for, report on. Give an account of: narrate a
series of events or transactions
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Analyse:
Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications
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Apply:
Use, utilise, employ in a particular situation
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Appreciate:
Make a judgement about the value of
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Assess:
Make a judgment of value, quality, outcomes, results or size
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Calculate:
Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information
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Clarify:
Make clear or plain
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Classify:
Arrange or include in classes/categories
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Compare:
Show how things are similar or different
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Construct:
Make; build; put together items or arguments
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Contrast:
Show how things are different or opposite
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Critically (analyse/ evaluate):
Add a degree or level of accuracy depth, knowledge and understanding, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to (analysis/evaluation)
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Deduce:
Draw conclusions
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Define:
State meaning and identify essential qualities
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Demonstrate:
Show by example
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Describe:
Provide characteristics and features
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Discuss:
Identify issues and provide points for and/or against
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Distinguish:
Recognise or note/indicate as being distinct or different from; to note differences between
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Evaluate:
Make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of
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Examine:
Inquire into
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Explain:
Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why and/or how
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Extract:
Choose relevant and/or appropriate details
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Extrapolate:
Infer from what is known
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Identify:
Recognise and name
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Interpret:
Draw meaning from
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Investigate:
Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about
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Justify:
Support an argument or conclusion
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Outline:
Sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of
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Predict:
Suggest what may happen based on available information
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Propose:
Put forward (for example a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action
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Recall:
Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences
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Recommend:
Provide reasons in favour
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Recount:
Retell a series of events
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Summarise:
Express, concisely, the relevant details
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Synthesise:
Putting together various elements to make a whole
Skills
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11.1a (identify data sources):
analyse complex problems to determine appropriate ways in which each aspect may be researched.
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11.1b (identify data sources):
determine the type of data that needs to be collected and explain the qualitative or quantitative analysis that will be required for this data to be useful
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11.1c (identify data sources):
identify the orders of magnitude that will be appropriate and the uncertainty that may be present in the measurement of data
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11.1d (identify data sources):
identify and use correct units for data that will be collected
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11.1e (identify data sources):
recommend the use of an appropriate technology or strategy for data collection or gathering information that will assist efficient future analysis
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11.2a (plan first-hand investigations):
demonstrate the use of the terms 'dependent' and 'independent' to describe variables involved in the investigation
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11.2b (plan first-hand investigations):
identify variables that need to be kept constant, develop strategies to ensure that these variables are kept constant and demonstrate the use of a control
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11.2c (plan first-hand investigations):
design investigations that allow valid and reliable data and information to be collected
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11.2d (plan first-hand investigations):
describe and trial procedures to undertake investigations and explain why a procedure, a sequence of procedures or the repetition of procedures is appropriate
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11.2e (plan first-hand investigations):
predict possible issues that may arise during the course of an investigation and identify strategies to address these issues if necessary
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11.3a (choose equipment or resources):
identifying and/or setting up the most appropriate equipment or combination of equipment needed to undertake the investigation
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11.3b (choose equipment or resources):
carrying out a risk assessment of intended experimental procedures and identifying and addressing potential hazards
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11.3c (choose equipment or resources):
identifying technology that could be used during investigations and determining its suitability and effectiveness for its potential role in the procedure or investigations
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11.3d (choose equipment or resources):
recognising the difference between destructive and non-destructive testing of material and analysing potentially different results of these two procedures
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12.1a (perform first-hand investigations):
carrying out the planned procedure, recognising where and when modifications are needed and analysing the effect of these adjustments
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12.1b (perform first-hand investigations):
efficiently undertaking the planned procedure to minimise hazards and wastage of resources
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12.1c (perform first-hand investigations):
disposing carefully and safely of any waste materials produced during the investigation
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12.1d (perform first-hand investigations):
identifying and using safe work practices during investigations
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12.2a (gather first-hand information):
using appropriate data collection techniques, employing appropriate technologies including data loggers and sensors
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12.2b (gather first-hand information):
measuring, observing and recording results in accessible and recognisable forms, carrying out repeat trials as appropriate
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12.3a (gather information from secondary sources):
accessing information from a range of resources including popular scientific journals, digital technologies and the Internet
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12.3b (gather information from secondary sources):
practising efficient data collection techniques to identify useful information in secondary sources
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12.3c (gather information from secondary sources):
extracting information from numerical data in graphs and tables as well as from written and spoken material in all its forms
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12.3d (gather information from secondary sources):
summarising and collating information from a range of resources
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12.3e (gather information from secondary sources):
identifying practising male and female Australian scientists, the areas in which they are currently working and information about their research
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12.4a (process information):
assess the accuracy of any measurements and calculations and the relative importance of the data and information gathered
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12.4b (process information):
identify and apply appropriate mathematical formulae and concepts
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12.4c (process information):
select and use appropriate methods, including computer-assisted analysis, to best illustrate trends and patterns
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12.4d (process information):
evaluate the validity of first-hand and secondary information and data in relation to the area of investigation
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12.4e (process information):
assess the reliability of first-hand and secondary information and data by considering information from various sources
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12.4f (process information):
assess the accuracy of scientific information presented in mass media by comparison with similar information presented in scientific journals
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13.1a (present information):
selecting and using appropriate text types or combinations thereof, for oral and written presentations
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13.1b (present information):
selecting and using appropriate media to present data and information
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13.1c (present information):
selecting and using appropriate methods to acknowledge sources of information
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13.1d (present information):
using symbols and formulae to express relationships and using appropriate units for physical quantities
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13.1e (present information):
using a variety of pictorial representations to show relationships and present information clearly and succinctly
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13.1f (present information):
selecting and drawing appropriate graphs to convey information and relationships clearly and accurately
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13.1g (present information):
identifying situations where use of a curve of best fit is appropriate to present graphical information
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14.1a (analyse information):
identify trends, patterns and relationships as well as contradictions in data and information
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14.1b (analyse information):
justify inferences and conclusions
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14.1c (analyse information):
identify and explain how data supports or refutes an hypothesis, a prediction or a proposed solution to a problem
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14.1d (analyse information):
predict outcomes and generate plausible explanations related to the observations
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14.1e (analyse information):
make and justify generalisations
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14.1f (analyse information):
use models, including mathematical ones, to explain phenomena and/or make predictions
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14.1g (analyse information):
use cause and effect relationships to explain phenomena
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14.1h (analyse information):
identify examples of the interconnectedness of ideas or scientific principles
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14.2a (solve problems):
identifying and explaining the nature of a problem
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14.2b (solve problems):
describing and selecting from different strategies those which could be used to solve a problem
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14.2c (solve problems):
using identified strategies to develop a range of possible solutions to a particular problem
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14.2d (solve problems):
evaluating the appropriateness of different strategies for solving an identified problem
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14.3a (use available evidence):
design and produce creative solutions to problems
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14.3b (use available evidence):
propose ideas that demonstrate coherence and logical progression and include correct use of scientific principles and ideas
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14.3c (use available evidence):
apply critical thinking in the consideration of predictions, hypotheses and the results of investigations
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14.3d (use available evidence):
formulate cause and effect relationships
The HSC FAQ for high school physics.
The UNSW resource site for high school physics.
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