Scribd
Upload
35 views1 page

Guide to Experimental Design Steps

The document outlines the steps of experimental design which include identifying a problem, conducting background research, developing a hypothesis, creating an experimental procedure with variables, collecting and reporting results and data, and drawing a conclusion. The goal is to solve problems through a logical scientific process.

Uploaded by

Victoria Warren
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
35 views1 page

Guide to Experimental Design Steps

The document outlines the steps of experimental design which include identifying a problem, conducting background research, developing a hypothesis, creating an experimental procedure with variables, collecting and reporting results and data, and drawing a conclusion. The goal is to solve problems through a logical scientific process.

Uploaded by

Victoria Warren
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Experimental Design Notes

What is Experimental Design?


-special way in which scientists gather information and test ideas
-logical way of solving problems

Why would you use experimental design?


-to solve a problem

Steps in Experimental Design:


1. Identify the Problem or Purpose
 Generally in the form of a question or a statement
Ex: What is the effect of weed-killing chemicals on the bird population?

2. Background Research
 What to do now that you have a question?
 Are you the only person that has ever asked this question?
 What might you need to do to find useful information?
 review literature, dictionary, encyclopedia, text book, magazine, people (experts)

3. Hypothesis
 If…….then…….
 An educated guess
Ex: If weed-killing chemicals are eaten by birds,
then the number of birds will decrease

4. Experimental Procedure
o Detailed description of how to do the activity
o Includes Variables
 Independent—What I (the scientist) change in the experiment
 Dependent—what is MEASURED
 Constant—what remained the same
o May also included must be
 Control Group—group under “normal” conditions
 Experimental Group—group with one condition different than normal
o Examples: diaper brands, acid rain
5. Results/Data

 COMPLETE sentences explaining what happened


 Includes observations
 Qualitative—What something looks like (reports characteristics: green
in color)
 Quantitative—Anything involving numbers (measurements: 20lbs, 4inces)
 Inference—judgment based on observation (That plant is ugly)
o Graph showing what happened
 Graph must organize information and simplify results, it should include:
 Title, labels, and color
6. Conclusion
 Statement identifying whether the hypothesis was SUPPORTED, REJECTED, or
INCONCLUSIVE (if there wasn’t enough evidence either way).
 Describe at least 3 sources of error!

You might also like