Procedure for Scientific Experiment

  • Plan
  • Write a step by step plan of what you will do.

    Start with your research question, hypothesis, and materials list.

    Visualize yourself doing it while you write.

    Use the information below to help you.

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    Research Question

  • Write your research question using your independent and dependent variables: What effect does __________________ (independent variable) have on ___________________ (dependent variable)?
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    Hypothesis

  • Guess what you think the results will be. Write it down.

     

     

    Materials

    Describe in detail all materials used (size, amount, kind, etc.).

     

    Details&emdash;the experiment plan

  • Step by step, include all necessary details on exactly what and how you will do this so any one else can completely replicate (copy) what you did. Visualize yourself doing it while you write. Include:
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    Set-up:

    How are the materials and equipment set up?

     

    Independent variable--

    Explain exactly what you will change and how you will change it.

     

    Constant

    Explain exactly how you kept all other variables constant.

     

    Control

    Explain what standard you will use to determine if any changes occurred. You may need to conduct one set of experiment trials before you change the independent variable to establish a set of data to compare your experiment to.

     

    Dependent variable--

    Explain exactly what will probably change because you changed the independent variable

     

    Trials

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    • Explain how many times and how you will conduct your experiment

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    Data Chart

  • Create a data chart to record your results. Remember that you need at least three trials for each change of the independent variable. Use graph paper and/or an Excel spreadsheet. Draw a diagram or insert your Excel chart here
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    Details&emdash;the experiment completed

    Do the experiment exactly as you planned. If you must make changes, WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU CHANGED IN YOUR LOG AND REWRITE YOUR PLAN SO OTHERS CAN FOLLOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID DO.

     

    Repeated trials

  • Repeat your work to average or verify your results.

    Explain how you repeated your trials.

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    Log

  • Keep a detailed log (written notes) of what you did, what happened, and what your explanation is. This log will guide you in completing the scientific analysis of what happened so you can complete the final lab report. You may be able to compose your notes on the computer if one is available. Your log is part of your scientific investigation and all notes must be placed in your notebook and turned in. Include:

     

    Pictures

    Draw pictures along the way. Take photos if possible.

     

    Results

    Keep track of all changes or lack of changes in a written and pictorial form

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    Graphs

  • Record the results of your trials in your data chart.

    Use the data to create an appropriate graph (bar, line, pie) to display and explain your data. Insert the graph or chart here or print them out and put them in your notebook if not using this computer form.

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    Results and Explanation Summary

  • This is what you will need for your final lab report:
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    Survey

    Do you have any other surveys or data to collect and add? Display in a chart or graph.

     

    Conclusion

    Write a conclusion: Do you accept or reject your hypothesis and why?

     

    Application

    How can your conclusion apply to the real world?

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    Use your data chart, graphs, and results log to explain your results in a summary paragraph that also includes your conclusion. This prepares you for the above questions.

    Summary paragraph and conclusion:

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