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I believe this is the most important
concept in understanding science. Most of my activities and
assignments will be based on these steps.
Question/Purpose
What is the reason for doing the
experiment or what is there to be learned from doing the experiment?
It must be a testable question.
Research
Find information about this question?
Use books, internet, knowledgeable people etc...
Hypothesis
What do you think the answer to your
question is? and why?
You must research the topic. If you do not know anything about the
topic, you can not make a prediction about it.
REMEMBER it is YOUR prediction, it-can-not-be-wrong. It
can be proven incorrect after the procedure but it is NEVER wrong.
Materials
List EVERYTHING you need to do the
experiment/test.
Procedure
List ALL the steps in the
experiment/test.
Determine the variables.
Controlled - factors that remain constant throughout the
experiment. Independent - the one factor that will be manipulated or
changed during the experiment.
Dependent - the variable that becomes altered as a result of the
change that was made in the independent variable.
Data
Data- "The numbers." Use graphs, charts
and/or tables to plot the information gathered in the procedure.
Results
Results-RESTATE the data. Use scientific terms.
Conclusion
PUT IT ALL TOGETHER using
scientific language..
In your own words describe the purpose of the experiment.
Restate your hypothesis and your reasoning for this prediction. Were
you right? Why/Why not?
Summarize the lab procedure.
Explain the procedure and the variables, etc.
Do NOT waste your time restating the data you already did that in
the results section. Refer to your data tables, graphs, etc. in
assessing the data because actual data from your observations is a "must" in
forming a conclusion. Example:
DO NOT JUST SAY "The worms heartbeat went up 15
beats per minute in the warm water." That should have already
been said
in the results.
DO SAY "The warm water increased the worms
heart rate because..."
Also make a reflection of your experiment
determining what you could have done better and what went well with the
experiment. Use observations ie... What did you observe?
Qualitative-information gathered through the senses such as smell,
taste, touch, hear, shape, etc.
Quantitative-information gathered due to precise measurements, such as
height in cm, width in cm, mass in g, volume in cm3, density in g/cm3, time
in seconds, speed in kph, etc.
Grading the Reports
They will be graded on effort, completion and fully following directions.
Rubric for minor grade report
1. All sections of the Scientific Method must be included, complete and
clearly labeled.
If directed the DATA section must include a table, graph, chart etc...
3. Conclusion must be at least one page long &
the directions
correctly followed.
(skipping lines)
Rubric for MAJOR grade report
1. All sections of the Scientific Method must be included, complete and
clearly labeled. The DATA section must include a table, graph, chart etc...
2. Conclusion must be at least two pages long &
the directions
correctly followed.
(skipping lines)
Title, Name, Date and Hour
(Doesn't need to be labeled) Must be
in upper right corner for minor grade projects
Must be on the first page for MAJOR grade projects
Title
A
brief, concise, descriptive title.
(I will usually give it to you)
Question/Purpose
What question are you trying
to answer? And WHY?
Include observations or research information to help explain why.
Must be a complete sentence.
(I will usually give this to you)
Research
List and explain any
sources you used to establish your hypothesis.
Text books, reference books, internet, teachers, parents, your prior
knowledge etc...
Hypothesis
Write a possible solution for
the problem.
Make sure it is a complete sentence.
Make sure it is testable AND tested in the procedure.
Explain why you think this hypothesis.
Materials
Make a list of ALL items used
in the procedure.
DO NOT leave any out!
Procedure
List ALL the steps in the
experiment/activity.
Your procedure should be written so that anyone else could repeat the
experiment step by step. DO NOT leave any steps out!!! If it
is not repeatable it is not a procedure.
Data
This section should include
any data tables, observations, or additional notes you make during the
lab. (depending on the lab)
You may attach separate sheets if necessary.
All tables, graphs and charts should be CLEARLY and CORRECTLY labeled.
Results
Clearly restate the data.
Do not explain the data just restate it. (All you have to do is put
the graphs, charts, tables etc... into words.)
Conclusion (and Reflection)
Use complete sentences in
paragraph form.
***Restate and accept or reject your hypothesis.***
EXPLAIN why you accepted or rejected your hypothesis using information
from your data. Do not simply use the numbers, explain them.
Include a summary of the data explain it using trends, averages,
highest, lowest etc... You want to help the reader understand
your results/data not tell them what they are, you already did that in the
results.
Discuss what could have been done better such as possible errors that
could have occurred in the collection of the data. If there were
other students doing the same experiment what ideas could you "borrow"
from them if you did the experiment again?
I am interested in
your ideas/suggestions for the
web site. Please e-mail me with ANY at
rauppj@gischools.org.
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