PRACTICAL REPORT WRITING For your SACE

Hypothesis If/As the independent variable is increased, then the dependent variable is increased/decreased. E.g. If the pH of soil is increased, then the growth of a plant will also increase.

Identify Variables Independent: the one you change (include units you have measured in) Dependent: the one you measure (include units) E.g. Dependent variable: Growth of plant (cm)

Constant Variables These are every other aspect of an experiment that could possibly change, but you are keeping it constant for a controlled and reliable experiment. There are many of these! Include at least 3 to show your understanding.

ALWAYS! Method ALWAYS! ALWAYS! Always in past tense and impersonal if you have already completed the investigation! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS!

Method Always in future tense if you are designing a practical investigation.

Results Unless otherwise specified, a table AND a graph are required. Generally scatter graphs are required with a line of best fit. Sometimes other things are required such as an explanation of a trend line etc. Always see your assessment task sheet for this info!

Discussion What worked? What didn’t work? And why? How could you improve it? What are the possible errors? How could you minimise these?

Discussion (Continued) Random or systematic errors? Random errors are unknown or unpredictable changes in the experiment. E.g. wind affecting the cooling of a substance Systematic errors are errors that occur consistently throughout the experiment and are generally due to the measuring instruments used.

Conclusion Was your hypothesis supported or not supported? Was there enough data to make a conclusive analysis? A brief explanation of why or why not.