1. Experimental Design
Student Cheat Sheet 2015

2. Variables
Independent variable (IV): the variable that is purposely changed in an experiment.
Dependent variable (DV): the variable that responds to the change (IV). It is measured or observed.

3. IV groups Different types of IVs that are used Ex. Type of Vitamin
IV Groups: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
Always include UNITS on IV or DV if needed

4. Constants
Things that are kept the same in an experiment. Everything besides the IV must be kept constant for the experiment to be valid.
It’s important to keep all other variables constant so the experimenter knows what is causing the DV to change.

5. Control
The group that is used as a standard of comparison in an experiment. The control may be “no treatment” or “experimenter selected” It allows you to know if the IV truly affected the DV.

6. Experimental Question
A question which deals with how the IV will affect the DV.
How does the ____________(IV) affect the ______________ (DV)?
Don’t forget the Question Mark!

7. Hypothesis A prediction made about a possible outcome of an experiment
It must be testable and based on previous knowledge
It is a statement that includes the IV and DV.
Must include: If … then
Must be specific! (Pick an IV group and DV change)

8. Data Table
Must have TITLE at the top including the IV and DV: The effect of __________ (IV) on the ____________ (DV).
IV: left column- include units
DV: top middle- include units
Trials- top
Average- right column

9. Title: include the IV and DV
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Average
DV:

10. Graphs Must have title at the top- the same as the title on data table
X-axis- IV (units)
Y-axis- DV (units)
Half Rule- Use most of the graph paper
Graph only the Averages!
Include labels or keys for multiple lines or bars
Use appropriate scale on each axis

11. Bar graph or line graph?
Line graph: data is related and continuous ex. Time or Temperature
Bar graph: data is unrelated categories or discontinuous ex. Honda, Ford, Chevy

12. (Players Don’t Hate Players Rock!)
Conclusion
Purpose of the lab- restate the experimental question
Data- report major findings- put data table into words using averages
Hypothesis – state it and tell if it was “supported” or “not supported” by the data
Patterns in the data (look at graph)
Recommendations for improvements
(Players Don’t Hate Players Rock!)