Experimental Design

Remember the Scientific Method

Problem/Question
Observation/Research
Formulate a Hypothesis
Experiment
Collect and Analyze Results
Conclusion
Communicate the Results
State the Problem/Question You Observed

• 1. Qualitative
– Uses the 5 senses, opinion
– Describes qualities

• 2. Quantitative
– Using equipment, standard units
– Uses numbers
 Research to Form a Hypothesis
• Hypothesis – an educated guess or prediction
stated in “If…..then….” form that is TESTABLE.

• Forming a valid hypothesis requires

background research
– Scientific Journals: for current research findings
– Encyclopedias: for scientific info generally
accepted
– State and Local research facilities
 Predicting
• To test hypothesis it is necessary to make
predictions that logically follows from the
hypothesis
• A statement made in advance that states the
results that will be obtained from testing the
hypothesis

• Deductive reasoning = Often in the form of an “if-

then” statement; reasoning goes from general
information to a specific hypothesis

• Inductive reasoning = reasoning from a particular

set of facts to form a general rule; specific to
general
 The Experiment
• Is a structured procedure to test hypothesis.
• All good experiments include the following
five elements:
– 1. Independent Variable
– 2. Dependent Variable
– 3. Constants
– 4. Control
– 5. Repeated Trials
The 5 Elements of an Experiment
Independent Variable (IV) - the factor that is
purposely changed by the experimenter (there is
only one IV per experiment)
- The thing that “I” change or manipulate
- There is only 1 IV per experiment
 The 5 Elements of an Experiment
• Dependent Variable (DV) -
the factor that is expected
to change and will be
measured.
• The measurement may
result in data that is
quantitative or qualitative.
– The thing that is measured or
observed, the measurement
that “depends” on what we
change.
 The 5 Elements of an Experiment
• Constants - the factors that are kept the same
among ALL test groups including the
experimental groups and control groups.
• Control Group the group used as a standard
for comparison; it receives no treatment (IV).
– Used as a baseline measurement to compare.
 The 5 Elements of an Experiment
• Repeated Trials – redoing the experiment to
rule out error.
– Used as a “check” to see if the experiment is
sound.

OR
 Constructing Graphs
• Title the Graph
– The effect of (IV) on (DV)
• Label the Axes with Units!
– (IV) on the x-axis
– (DV) on the y-axis
• Determine the scale for axes
– Consistent intervals, starting at zero
 Graph

Title

(DV) Dependent
Variable

(IV) Independent Variable

• Don’t forget Units!!!!!!

 Conclusions & Discussion of Results
• In all formal experiments, scientists
summarize their findings and analyze their
data.
• They discuss problems during experiment.
• They offer suggestions for improvements for
future experiments.
 Scientific Method
a series of steps used to solve a problem
 Scientific Method Notes
People In Hawaii Eat Old Coconuts

1. Problem = what you are trying to solve

2. Information = research or past

experiences

3. Hypothesis = an educated guess based

on information that is testable
4. EXPERIMENT = test your hypothesis
a) Controlled experiment = has at least two identical setups
Control group = group used for comparing results
Experimental group = group in which you change one variable

b) Variable = the factor that you change <only one at a time>

independent variable = the part that you as the
experimenter setup to test or change in the experiment
* manipulative variable
* goes on the x-axis
dependent variable = the observations/measurements that
you write down when you do the experiment
* the results of the experiment
* data, measurements, responses
* goes on the y-axis

How to graph the variables:

 c) constants = factors that remain the same and have fixed
values
d) control = what you compare your experimental results to
e) repeated trails = repeat experiments at least 3 times

5. Observations/Record Data = write down what occurs

during the experiment, measurements, graphs, charts
Qualitative data = observations using your senses
Quantitative data = number measurements

6. Conclusion = whether your data supports your

hypothesis

Hypothesis:
Theory:
Scientific law:
If a question is not testable using the
scientific method….

Then it is not Science!!!!!

 Sample Experiment
• An ecologist with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) wants to investigate
the effects of acid rain on the reproductive
rate of salamanders. The scientist incubates
1000 salamander eggs in mildly acidic water
(pH = 6) and another 1000 salamander eggs in
neutral water (pH = 7). The water
temperature, amount of dissolved oxygen,
and light was kept the same among all groups.
All eggs were given 63.days to develop.
• Independent Variable:
– the pH of the water
• Dependent Variable:
– the development of salamander eggs
• Constants:
– water temperature, dissolved oxygen, light, and
time
• Control Group:
– 1000 eggs in neutral water
• Trials:
– 1000 eggs in mildly acidic water
 Experimenting

• Testing a hypothesis or prediction by

gathering data under controlled conditions
– conducting a controlled experiment
• Based on a comparison of a control
group with an experimental group
– Both groups are identical except for one
factor (independent variable or
manipulative variable)

– Observations and measurements are taken

for a particular factor (dependent variable)
in both groups
 Collecting Data
• Includes any and all
information that
scientist gather in trying
to answer their
questions
• Includes all
measurements &
observations made
during the experiment
• Qualitative data =
observe with senses
• Quantitative = number
measurements
– Measuring
• Involves quantitative data that can be
measured in numbers
– Sampling
• Technique of using a sample – a
small part – to represent the entire
population

Subjective = opinion
Objective = actual measurements/facts
 Organizing Data

• Involves placing observations and

measurement (data) in order
– Graphs, charts, tables, or maps
 Analyzing Data
• Collected and organized data must be
analyzed
– Process of determining whether data are
reliable or whether they support or do not
support a hypothesis or prediction
 Inferring

• Conclusions made on the basis of facts or

premises rather than on direct
observations
– Often drawn from data gathered from a
study or experiment and previous
knowledge
– Not directly testable
 Forming a Theory
• A theory may be formed after
many related hypotheses
have been tested and
supported with experimental
evidence
• A broad and comprehensive
statement of what is thought
to be true
• Supported by considerable
evidence
• Ties together related
hypotheses
• If never proven wrong over
time, a theory can become a
scientific law
 Communication
• Share the results of their studies
with other scientists
• Publish findings in journals or at
scientific meetings
• Sharing of information is essential
to scientific process
• Subject to examination and
verification by other scientists
• Allows scientists to build on the
work of others