Scientific Investigation Stage 2 - 4 July 2012

Stage 2: Testing ideas

Carrying out scientific experiment requires thoughtful planning. We need to understand the following scientific terms so that we can plan our experiment in Stage 3. 

Scientific Terms! 

 

Gathering Data

-  Aim/Purpose/Research questions: what you want to find out (statement)

-  Hypothesis: Expected result/predictions/educated guess (must be specific – cannot be a cause and effect statement)

-  Materials and Apparatus: List of materials and apparatus that you will need to carry out the investigation

-  Procedure: List the steps that you will take to carry out the investigation.

-  Independent Variable: The only factor/condition to be changed

-  Constant/Controlled Variables: factors/conditions that remain unchanged (list a few important ones that will affect the results greatly)

-  Dependent variable: variable that we measure which changes due to the change in the independent variable

-  Assumptions: certain factors that we have assumed to test our hypothesis

-  Control group and experimental group

Example 

 

Aim: Which type of light do Sunflowers grow well in? 

More specific question: Do sunflowers grow better when placed under blue light than sunlight

 

  Everything that the experimental group has, the control group must have the exact same factors too, except for the type of light shown. In this case, the experimental group will be placed under blue light but the control group will be placed under sunlight.

Interpreting Data

-  Dependent Variable: The result that you measure

-  Data collection and organization: Results are presented in the form of tables, bar graphs or line graphs.

-  Data analysis: explain and discuss what your data means

-  Conclusion: what can you deduce from the discussion of your data analysis

            Does your conclusion:       1) support your hypothesis?

                                                            2) oppose your hypothesis?

                                                            3) inspire revised/new hypothesis?

                                                            4) inspire revised assumptions?

-  Troubleshoot: Suggest ways to improve your experiment. Do you need to make necessary amendments to your materials and apparatus and the procedures taken?