Experimental Design Process. Things you can change or vary: Things you can measure or observe:

Transcription

1 Experimental Design Process Things you can change or vary: Things you can measure or observe:

2 Choosing Variables I will change (independent variable): I will measure (dependent variable): I will not change, so that it is fair (controls):

3 Asking a Question & Research When I change: What will happen to: Write a broad question that is something you can investigate: Ask lots of questions about your topic. Look up your questions on reliable websites and in books to find out what other scientists know about the topic. Take notes on the topic to build up background information Use the research you found to predict what will happen in your experiment.

4 Writing a Hypothesis Notes: Guess Prediction Hypothesis Based on your question, write a hypothesis: The hypothesis should show a cause and effect relationship between the Independent and Dependent Variables. Then support your hypothesis with a because statement that includes what you learned in your research. IF (describe how you are changing your independent variable) THEN (how will your dependent variable be affected by the changes to the independent variable) BECAUSE. (support your hypothesis with evidence from your research- cite your sources!)

5 My Plan or Design Note: Other people should be able to follow your plan without asking you any questions. Materials needed for investigation (be specific-use quantities): Steps for the investigation:

6 Data Collection What I will change or vary (independent variable): What I will change What I will measure or observe (dependent variable): What I will measure How I will collect and record data: Number of trials: Sample chart for recording findings (data): What I measured (Dependent Variable, for y axis) What I measured (Independent Variable, for x axis) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

7 Graphing Results Title of the graph: What I measured (specific units) Dependent Variable Y Axis What I changed (specific units) Independent Variable X Axis

8 Finding Patterns in Results When I changed What happened to Describe the data by explaining the relationship(s) between the variables on the graph. This statement should contain as much quantitative information as possible. Describe what the data indicate. How does the data support the hypothesis?

9 Claims and Evidence All arguments have two basic parts, claims and evidence. A claim is a statement made based on what was observed during an experiment. Evidence is data that supports or proves a claim. Correct Claim: It rained last night. Incorrect Claim: Cows give milk. Evidence: The streets are wet. Evidence: Grass is green. *The evidence supports the claim. *The evidence does not support the claim Write 3 claims about your findings and support those claims with evidence. Claims Evidence

10 Conclusion The conclusion is a synthesis of your claims and is based on evidence and a logical argument. It should wrap up the cause and effect relationship, as well as discuss any unresolved questions or error analysis of the data. The conclusion should answer the original question or explain why it cannot be answered at this time. The next thing that I want to know is: Another thing I will change What I will measure