1. How do you put together a Scientific Experiment

2.  Hypothesis  A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.  Usually written as an “if, then statement”  Independent Variable  An independent variable is typically the variable representing the value being manipulated or changed

3.  Dependent Variable  A dependent variable is the observed result of the independent variable being manipulated  Control  To verify or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or by comparing with another standard.

4.  Here is an example hypothesis:  If students ingest different amounts of sugar per day, then students ingesting the most sugar per day will receive the most referrals.  What would be the independent variable and dependent variable?  How could a control be established for the experiment?

5.  Once an experiment is designed, the next step is to collect data.  Data should be collected in a structured and organized way.  Independent variables should be established  The resulting dependent variables should be collected

6.  All collected “raw” data needs to be documented and presented in the form of a Data Table  Characteristics of a Data Table:  Organized  Table has a title appropriate to the data it contains  All table headings are labeled and appropriate units are given

7.  Construct a sample data table for our sugar/referral hypothesis presented a few slides back.

8.  Data collected from an experiment must be analyzed in some way.  Depending on the type of test conducted and data collected the analysis could take on any format  Comparing averages, graphing, various calculations

9. One of the most important parts of an experiment

10.  Which of the following conclusions do you find more convincing:  1) Increasing sugar consumption results in more referrals.  2) Students who ingest 500 grams of sugar per day receive on average 5 more referrals per week than do students who only ingest 200 grams of sugar per day.

11.  The key to an effective conclusion is citing the actual results of the experiment within the statement.  Whenever you are asked to write a conclusion in this class it needs to contain a direct reference to the data and analysis of the experiment

12.  An effective conclusion makes a defining statement about the experiment and what was learned from it. The conclusion then uses data and analysis generated in the experiment to support or justify the defining statement.  Without support or justification a defining statement looks more like an opinion than a researched conclusion.

13. Tablespoons of PB Consumed per day Measured Monthly Hair growth (inches) 11.0 21.2 31.3 41.5 51.9 62.4 73.1 8 Develop a conclusion from the presented data and analysis following the structure we just discussed Data Table for Monthly Hair Growth and PB Consumption