How to write an effective conclusion Also known as putting it all together

What is a conclusion? A conclusion is a summary of the experiment. It is putting the hypothesis together with the data and coming up with a conclusion or ending thought. It is a written answer to the original question.

So where to start… Every conclusion begins with a topic sentence. In a conclusion, the topic sentence is the restatement of the problem/question.

Now on to your hypothesis.. Next, restate the hypothesis. What was predicted?

So was your hypothesis right, wrong or indifferent? Accept or reject your hypothesis Does the data support the hypothesis? -If it does-we accept the hypothesis -If it doesn’t-we reject the hypothesis

Now provide evidence Provide actual data in sentence form that backs up your previous statement.

Next What type of relationship was there, if any? How did the independent variable effect the dependent variable? Were there any trends (changes; increases, decreases in data) or patterns (repeated data that is similar) in the data? Discuss issues, problems or errors with the investigation.

Errors Sources of errors are not ones that you made and then fixed Your results not supporting your hypothesis is not an error All experiments will have measurement errors Our experiments especially will have all 3 types

Types of Errors Statistical: errors due to the random nature of objects Reduced by having a high number of test subjects Systemic: errors due to the way the experiment was designed or implemented Arrive from inability to control all variables Measurement: errors based of the tools that were used in the experiment Certain tools are not precise and must be discussed You must discuss these!!!!

Discussion Discuss application or relevance of your experiment What can we do with your findings? Identify new questions or problems that can be researched in the future

Yeah! We’re almost there….

Concluding sentence This sentence should Begin with a transition word To sum it up Clearly In conclusion Obviously Rephrase the original question or problem Remind you why this was important.

Important Notes Bring up prior research about your topic Use the research you conducted for the introduction Make sure formatting is correct Proper Citations APA Reference list Written in passive voice

Our conclusion outline Topic Sentence Restate problem or idea that was being investigated Restate your hypothesis (It was predicted that…) Accept or reject your hypothesis Provide evidence Actual data from the experiment What did the data say? Relationships or trends in the data Provide actual data evidence Refer back to your data table or graph

Our Conclusion Outline Cont… Issues or problems with the investigation Discuss the 3 types (systemic, statistical, and measurement) Provide evidence Wrap it up! Discuss application and future research Concluding sentence with transition word, rephrased problem, and explain why the experiment was important.

Conclusion Rubric Ms. Ose is giving you the Conclusion Rubric – the Conclusion is due 11/14 Please remember – Organize your papers in the center prongs—that’s why they’re there! Anything that is being turned in should be in there, in a logical order. For the next round, I won’t take folders that aren’t organized. If you turn it in to me and it’s a mess, I’ll give it back to you the next day and it will be marked LATE.

Additional STEM Fair Notes Eventually, you will be making a board that will be graded. If you didn’t fix the problems with the graphs/tables/etc., it will affect your grade on the board. That’s why we give you a grade! Please look back at the notes about the folder to correct your errors