Pulse-Rate Experiment
I. Introduction
The scientific method is simply "a means to find the solution to a problem". These four
steps are usually followed to arrive at a solution.
a. Observation
i. new observations are made, and previous data (or information) are
studied
b. Hypothesis
i. is an "educated guess" based on our observations and research which is
our answer to why we observed what we have observed
c. Experiment / Observations
i. our hypothesis is tested by an experiment or further observations
d. Conclusion
i. our data from the experiment or further observations either support or
fail to support our hypothesis
Observation:
Suppose that you and your classmates were walking through the SMC and going up and
down the stairs. You notice that you are breathing fine, but some of your classmates are
winded, out of breath, and feel like their hearts were pounding in their chest.
You start to think, “Does breathing, and therefore heart rate, vary with exercise?" Your
present experience would indicate that it does. What hypothesis might you develop as a
possible answer to your question? Write this hypothesis in the space below.
Hypothesis:
Il. Purpose
The purpose of the Pulse-Rate Experiment is to show that pulse-rate (a way to
measure heart rate and breathing) depends upon many variables (factors), some of which
are difficult or almost impossible to identify and/or to precisely determine.
Ill. Experiment
A. Find a partner to pair up with
B. Take you and your partner’s resting pulse rate and record the data. This will
be the control pulse-rate (count the pulse for 15 seconds, then multiply by four
to base it on one minute).
C. Taking turns, each partner will do a specified exercise for a specified period
of time. Determine the pulse-rate immediately following the exercise and
record the data. The second partner can do the exercise and have their pulse-
rate counted while the first partner rests.
D. Following the specified rest period, repeat the exercise for a longer period of
time and count the pulse-rate again. Follow the procedure three times: first for
a short exercise period, followed by longer periods with rest in between. Use
this table as a guide.
Exercise Rest
Trial 2 5 steps in 10 seconds 2minutes
Trial 3 10 steps in 20 seconds 2 minutes
Trial 4 15 steps in 35 seconds
IV. Results
Record the pulse rate data from the rest period and trials 1-3 in an excel document for each
person in the class. Then record whether they are male or female.
V. Conclusions
A. Group data according to the sex of the participants. Average the pulse-rate tor the
males and for the females separately. Find the averages for males and females then
graph (in excel) each data set and compare. (1pt for including all three graphs)
- Are these graphs the same? (1pt)
If not, what factors (variables) might account for the difference? (see below)
Identify some variables in the space below that might cause them to be different. List
these variables (3pts) and indicate how you might control them in the experiment (3pts).
(6 pts total)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B. Using the data from males and females, find an average pulse-rate for the class.
Record the averages for all team members in excel. Graph these averages in excel
and compare with the other graphs of your result. (2pts)