The independent variable is the one variable the investigator chooses to change. Controlled variables are variables that are kept the same each time. Step A — Clarify Variable Clarify the variables involved in the investigation by developing a table such as the one below.
Testable Question What detergent removes stains the best? What is changed? Type of cloth, physical process of stain removal Data Collected dependent variable Stain fading over time for combinations of detergents and stains Step B — List Materials Make a list of materials that will be used in the investigation. Step C — List Steps List the steps needed to carry out the investigation.
Data Collection. When setting up the investigation, consider The Location Choose a low traffic area to reduce the risk of someone accidentally tampering with the investigation results—especially if the investigation lasts for several weeks.
Safety Avoid harmful accidents by using safe practices. The use of construction tools or potentially harmful chemicals will require adult supervision. Locate the nearest sink or fire extinguisher as a safety precaution.
Determine how to dispose of materials. For example, some chemicals should not be mixed together or put down a sink drain. Wear protective clothing such as goggles and gloves. Tie back loose hair so that it does not get caught on any of the equipment. Documentation Making a rough sketch or recording notes of the investigation set up is helpful if the experiment is to be repeated in the future.
Quantitative Data Uses numbers to describe the amount of something. Involves tools such as rulers, timers, graduated cylinders, etc. Uses standard metric units For instance, meters and centimeters for length, grams for mass, and degrees Celsius for volume. May involve the use of a scale such as in the example below. Qualitative Data Uses words to describe the data. Describes physical properties such as how something looks, feels, smells, tastes, or sounds.
Analyze Data. These questions can help with analyzing data: What can be learned from looking at the data? Did what you changed independent variable cause changes in the results dependent variable? Draw Conclusions. Scientific Steps. Download the full list of scientific steps. Planning Sheet Elementary. Our planning sheet for younger students provides ideas and capture sheets appropriate for Kindergarten, grades , and grades Planning Sheet Secondary. Use our planning sheet to organize and conduct your investigation.
Prepare Your Presentation. Kids Workshops To learn more visit, homedepot. Some statisticians would even say that the results are statistics.
Indeed, no science is perfect, but statistics allow a scientist to show how close to perfect she can get. Having obtained a Master of Science in psychology in East Asia, Damon Verial has been applying his knowledge to related topics since Having written professionally since , he has been featured in financial publications such as SafeHaven and the McMillian Portfolio. He also runs a financial newsletter at Stock Barometer.
The Disadvantages of a Small Sample Size. How to Calculate Significance. Five Characteristics of the Scientific Method. Essential Tenets of the Scientific Method. The Advantages of a Large Sample Size.
For example, if you test what kinds of foods ants like to eat by offering different foods to ants, and 70 of them chose donuts instead of potato chips, you might interpret that to mean that ants prefer foods containing sugar. Take the time to discuss how your results compare to the findings of others who have done similar projects or sought to answer similar questions.
If your results support the findings of other researchers, then cite their research and briefly describe what the similarities and differences in your approaches and results were. If your results are different from previous findings, discuss what you did differently than other researchers and why you think you got different results. If you can think of a few possibilities but you are not sure exactly why your results were different, talk about those possibilities but also say that you think more work could be done on the topic.
Clarify if there may have been differences in experimental process or even errors that caused your results to differ. The discussion section is the place to provide an in-depth look at your experiment and address any ways that you could have made it better.
This is also where you can explain conflicts in your results and reject or support them. If your research revealed something that you did not expect, talk about what that unexpected result was, why you didn't expect it, and what the unexpected finding may mean in terms of the questions you were trying to answer.
0コメント