Writing Conclusions 9/11/08 Catalyst

 Once we have our data analyzed, we can finish by writing a conclusion to summarize the experiment.  The conclusion should be written in past tense and in third person

 The concluding paragraph includes the following:  Quick review of what the lab was trying to accomplish  Concluding statement that restates the hypothesis  Possible sources of error  Further experimentation

Writing Conclusions 9/11/08 Lab ReviewWritten after the data analysis -Help summarize the experiment -Written in past tense & 3 rd person Parts of Conclusion 1. Review of Lab 2. Concluding statement 3. Sources of error 4. Further experimentation

 A sentence or two explaining the purpose of the lab  Why did you do the lab?  Remember to use past tense and 3 rd person ▪ We are doing this lab to see the relationship between mass and speed ▪ The lab was conducted to examine the relationship between mass and speed. NO YES!!!

Writing Conclusions 9/11/08 Purpose of Lab 1 or 2 sentences -What was the purpose of the lab? -Why did we do the lab? EXAMPLE : The lab was conducted to examine the relationship between mass and speed

 One sentence that states whether the hypothesis was supported or not supported by the data  The sentence restates the hypothesis  Also in 3 rd person  Your concluding statement should be in the following format  The data does/does not support the hypothesis that ____(restate hypothesis)___________.

Writing Conclusions 9/11/08 Concluding Statement 1 sentences -Tells us if the hypothesis was supported -Restates the hypothesis -3 rd person -The data does/does not support the hypothesis that (restate hypothesis). Formula

 The data does/does not support the hypothesis that ____(restate hypothesis)___________.  My hypothesis was right  My hypothesis that mass does not affect speed was supported  The data supports my hypothesis that mass does not affect speed  The data supports the hypothesis that mass does not affect speed NO YES!!

Writing Conclusions 9/11/08 Concluding Statement 1 sentences -Tells us if the hypothesis was supported -Restates the hypothesis -3 rd person -The data does/does not support the hypothesis that (restate hypothesis). Formula EXAMPLE: The data supports the hypothesis that mass does not affect speed

 At least 3-4 sentences answering the following questions:  What did not go according to plan?  What would you do differently?  Did the errors significantly affect the data? How so?

Writing Conclusions 9/11/08 Sources of Error 3-4 sentences -What didn’t go well? -What would I do differently? -Did the errors significantly affect the data? How so?

 EXAMPLES:  The wind was extremely strong during the experiment, this caused the lighter objects to be glide in the air for longer than expected  The two objects were timed by different people with different reaction times which could explain the slight difference in drop time.  The objects dropped were not the same size which could explain the slight difference in drop time

 At least 2-3 sentences answering the following questions:  Are there any unresolved problems that can lead to another experiment?  What new questions come up after performing this experiment?

Writing Conclusions 9/11/08 Further Experimentation 2-3 sentences -Are there any unresolved problems that can lead to another experiment? -What new questions come up after performing this experiment?

 EXAMPLES:  Since weather conditions could have affected the results, it would be wise to conduct the experiment indoors to see if the same relationship between mass and speed exists inside.  Mass did not affect the speed at which an object falls, another experiment can be conducted to determine whether size of the object affects the speed.

 When you have all the parts for the conclusion, you are ready to write the concluding paragraph.  Just put all of the sentences together

Writing Conclusions 9/11/08 Further Experimentation 2-3 sentences -Are there any unresolved problems that can lead to another experiment? -What new questions come up after performing this experiment? Putting it together When I have all the pieces I can begin writing the concluding paragraph

The lab was conducted to examine the relationship between mass and speed. The data supports the hypothesis that mass does not affect speed. The wind was extremely strong during the experiment, this caused the lighter objects to be glide in the air for longer than expected. The two objects were timed by different people with different reaction times which could explain the slight difference in drop time. The objects dropped were not the same size which could explain the slight difference in drop time. Since weather conditions could have affected the results, it would be wise to conduct the experiment indoors to see if the same relationship between mass and speed exists inside. Mass did not affect the speed at which an object falls, another experiment can be conducted to determine whether size of the object affects the speed.

 Take a couple of minutes to write your summary  Homework due tomorrow  QUIZ tomorrow