1. What is the experimental process? 1. What is the experimental process? (Inquiry or Scientific method) 2. What are the key items to consider when designing an experiment? Goal: to answer these questions: schmied©2013

1. What is the experimental process? Identify a Problem schmied©2013

Identify a Problem Make Observations Make Observations The basic steps schmied©2013

1. Identify a Problem c. Create a scientific Question a. Decide what to study schmied©2013 Ex: Will tulips grow faster with fertilizer?

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Study Subject = Tulips Fertilizer Height Question Format: Writing Questions schmied©2013

2. Form the Hypothesis Hypothesis = Prediction with a reason If, Then – compared to, Because format schmied©2013

If fertilizer is applied to tulips, Then the tulips with fertilizer will grow taller If, Then - compared to Prediction format compared to tulips without fertilizer Compare to Control Writing the Prediction 2. Form a Hypothesis schmied©2013

Because fertilizer has nutrients that increases tulip growth. Therefore tulips with fertilizer will grow taller. Prediction: If fertilizer is applied to tulips, Then the tulips with fertilizer will increase in height compared to tulips without fertilizer…. Adding a reason 2. Form a Hypothesis

3. Perform an Experiment a. Materials d. Procedure b. Trials c. Variables schmied©2013

3. Perform an Experiment a. Identify Materials schmied©2013

Question 1: What are the two types, or groups, of Trials in an Experiment ? Control and Experimental Trial! Question 2: What are the key differences between these trials? The Control trial results are compared to the Experimental Trial results 3. Perform an Experiment -> b. Trials schmied©2013

Example 3. Perform an Experiment schmied©2013

c. The World of Variables 3. Perform an Experiment schmied©2013

3. Perform an Experiment schmied©2013

What are two ways to control Variables? c. Controlling Variables 3. Perform an experiment schmied©2013

Create a Controlled Environment 3. Perform an Experiment One way is to: schmied©2013

Expose all trials to the same changing conditions. Expose all trials to the same changing conditions. 3. Perform an Experiment Another way to control variables is to: schmied©2013

Identify ….. A Controlled variable? The Manipulated variable? The Responding Variable? An Uncontrolled Variable? 3. Perform an Experiment Tulip Height schmied©2013

d. Develop a Procedure a. Create list of Materials Includes: i. Jobs ii. Safety Equipment (PPE) & hazards iii. Clean Up 3. Perform an Experiment schmied©2013

3. Perform an Experiment – Its only as good as the data gathered. Week 1 schmied©2013

3. Perform an Experiment Be consistent throughout the experiment. Week Three schmied©2013

3. Perform an Experiment Ensure Reliability Repeat the experiment 3x schmied©2013

8. Analyze the Data Calculate Highs, Lows, Averages Compare Experimental data to Control data Look for Key Differences Identify and Interpret patterns & variations Make inferences from the data gathered Identify sources of error schmied©2013

Error: What is error? An error is a mistake in perception, measurement or process. The types of error are: a. Experimental Design error: b. Operator Error. c. Observation Error: d. Recording Error: e. Calculation Error: f. Measuring tool limitation.

a. State the question b. Restate the Hypothesis c. Tell if Hypothesis is Accepted or Rejected i. Explain why using DATA (Hi, Low, Avg etc) 9. Develop a Conclusion: ii. Tell what you conclude from the data iii. Make inferences from the findings Clearly distinguish between the evidence and your explanations. iv. Evaluate the Reliability of the data v. Tell sources of error & effect on results vi. Describe how to increase the Validity. schmied©2013

Elements of an experiment

Improving Validity Let’s explore a couple ways that might improve the validity of the results from the Tulip experiment. Assume that the original class results show the tulips with fertilizer added actually grew taller. schmied©2013

A. Do more trials, each with different amount of fertilizer. Goal: See if a difference in tulip height can be linked to the amount of fertilizer given. Validity Example 1 schmied©2013

Daffodil Trials Week 8 b. Do more trials with another plant, like daffodils. See if adding fertilizer increases daffodil height. Validity Example 2 schmied©2013

c. Do Tulip trials with varying concentrations of fertilizer, but add Daffodil trials too. Validity Example 3 schmied©2013

7. Communicate results to peers & defend. Information becomes part of the world of science. 1. State the Problem Take data Make Inferences from data about a problem. 1b. Create Question Develop question into potential experiment. Identify SS, MV & RV 2a Create Prediction Finalize details of Experiment….. Control & Exp Trials 2b. Form the Hypothesis 3. Do the experiment Gather data 4. Record & Analyze the data 6. Hypothesis accepted repeat 3x 5. Draw Conclusions Tell if Hypothesis was accepted or rejected discuss data and methods HypothesisRejected? start over Scientific Method schmied©2013