1. Bell Ringers
Learning Target: I can analyze my experimental data and draw a conclusion.
Bell Ringer: John wanted to learn about how light affects plants. He cut a hole in the end of four boxes and placed one seedling in each of the boxes. He arranged them as shown in the diagram, placing a fifth plant in the center of the boxes. John place a light source over the entire arrangement. Identify the following:
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Standardized Variables

2. Experiment Conclusion
Completing Your Experiment

3. Reflecting on What You’ve Learned
What did you learn from your experiment?
What would you do different?
What else would you like to learn?
What other experiments would you like to do?

4. Interpreting Your Data
Use the information recorded in your journal to reach a conclusion
The interpretation of your data should be done directly in your journal.

5. Specific Ways to Interpret Your Data
Average the numbers
Compare beginning numbers to each other.
Compare beginning numbers to final numbers.
Compare final numbers to each other.

6. Communicating Your Data
Graph
A diagram that exhibits a relationship, often functional,  between two sets of numbers 
Independent and dependent variable
A pictorial device used to illustrate quantitative relationships.

7. Kinds of Graphs
Bar Graphs – compare results of several experiments or experimental groups at a single point in time.
Line Graphs – show the progression of an individual experiment or experimental group over a period of time.
Circle Graphs – express data as percentages of a whole.

8. Characteristics of a Good Graph
They should be neat and colorful
They are large enough to be clearly seen.
They clearly show the differences among the variables.
They are easily and quickly understood.
They should be designed on a computer
Create a Graph

9. Characteristics of a Good Graph
They include a key to explain the colors or symbols used.
They have a title that tells their purpose.
They have labels for each axis to indicate what it represents and what measuring units it uses.
They use equal intervals on each axis.

10. Forming a Conclusion Study your data
Does the data support my hypothesis?
If the data supports your hypothesis, your conclusion should be a restatement of your hypothesis.

11. Forming a Conclusion
If the data does not support your hypothesis, study the information in your journal to find the reason.
Incorrect or incomplete data
Unplanned events – contaminated materials, accidents, additional variables
Incorrect hypothesis
Form a new conclusion based on your data.

12. Writing the Experiment Evaluation
Procedure
Results/Data
Conclusion

13. Procedure In one paragraph, briefly review your experiment.
Include your hypothesis.
Independent variable
Dependent variable

14. Results/Data State the outcome of your experiment.
Include mathematical statistics.
Results should be supported by charts and graphs.
All measurements should be expressed in metric units.

15. Conclusion
State whether your results support or contradict your hypothesis.
State the relationship between the independent and dependent variable
If your results did not support your hypothesis discuss possible reasons.

16. Conclusion
Summarize and evaluate your experimental procedure, making comments about its success and effectiveness.
State the practical benefits of this experiment.
Suggest changes in the experimental procedure and ideas for further research and experimentation on this topic.