Prelab Analysis 4 Parts: I, II, III, IV “Analysis of the experiment before you do it” 4 Parts: I, II, III, IV Done on a separate sheet of paper, for hand-in NOT done in your lab notebook Format is same for every prelab analysis, but content varies, because the experiment varies Cannot do this without reading the write-up / description of the experiment!

Part I (Final Result or Conclusion) What are you doing the experiment for? (Pretend that you were a scientist going to work that day and you were doing this because you really wanted to know “something”!) Usually one or the other (result or conclusion), not both. Result: Will be calculated, from measured quantities (raw data) and possibly assumed info Conclusion: Will be reasoned, from observations (raw data) and possibly assumed info This is something you usually determine AFTER you leave lab.

Part II ([Types of] Raw Data) What will you, yourself, measure during the lab time? What will you, yourself, observe during the lab time (that will be used later)? These are data you will collect DURING the lab. You will record these in your lab notebook.

Part III (How raw data will be used) For a calculated result: Describe specifically each calculation / step you will do (starting with the measurements you made) to end up with the final calculated result you listed in Part I For a conclusion (or conclusions): Describe (using “if, then” statements) how you will reach your final conclusion(s) given the possible observations you might make If I see this, I will conclude this If I see that, I will conclude that

Part IV (A Question) See handout. Can be nearly anything. Be curious!

Two Examples From handout, but also reformatted, at course URL (in labs folder)