Experimental Design and the Scientific Method

Warm-up (9-8-15)

• Do you think you can perform an experiment without using the scientific method? Explain your answer and use evidence to support your answer.

Outline

• Objectives• Parts of Experimental Design Notes – Add to

Metric system title page• Why is Experimental design important?

• Experimental Design Practice

Objectives

• I will be able to articulate the importance of experimental design

• I will be able to describe the basic elements of experimental design and apply those elements to an original experiment

Why is experimental design important?

• In your composition notebooks: QUICK WRITE• Write down the importance of experimental

design.• Identify how misuse of experimental design

could harm science.• Use evidence to support your reasoning.

What is the PURPOSE of Experimental Design?

• Randomize– Even out effects we cannot control – Ensure equal chance to all possibilities

• Control– Make sure we only get results for what we want

What is the PURPOSE of Experimental Design?

• Replicate– Get as many replicates (repeats) as possible.– Results for a single subject might not be accurate. (No

one is perfect on the first try all of the time.)• Block– Get rid of things we don’t want to study and that we

can’t control• Best Experiments Are??• The best experiments are usually randomized,

comparative, double-blind, and placebo-controlled.

Parts of Experimental Design

• Purpose• Hypothesis• Procedure• Independent variable• Dependent variable• Constants• Control group• Experimental groups

Why Do I Care?

• Experimental design determines the validity of the results presented

• Determines whether or not you can trust the experiment

• Scientific Method is the basis for all scientific thinking and questioning

Scientific Method Steps1. Identify the Problem

What do you want to know or explain?

2. Form a HypothesisWhat do you think will happen?

3. Create an ExperimentHow will you test your hypothesis?

4. Perform the ExperimentFollow your procedure to test your hypothesis

5. Analyze the DataIs your data reliable? Does it support your hypothesis?

Scientific Method Notes

How to Use a LabQuest

1. Press the on/off button2. Set the labquest down (DO NOT TOUCH THE

SCREEN)– This could mess up the calibration of the screen

3. Wait until the LabQuest turns on4. Make sure the LabQuest is on the

appropriate screen… – What task do you want to do? Look at the icons

LabQuest and Logger Pro Review

• Demonstrate proper techniques when using the LabQuests and Logger Pro on the laptops

• Practice simple data collection tasks

Experimental Design Creation

• Use the instruction sheet to complete this task with your group.

• You are to create an original experiment with your group.

• You are to actually conduct your experiment and identify all of the parts of experimental design.

• You will need to write up a conclusion after your experiment is completed.

Warm-up (9-9-15)

• For the experiment that your group chose, write down the independent variable, the dependent variable, and the control group. Be sure to have the control group for the comparison.

Outline

• Objectives• Scientific Method Notes• Why is Experimental design important?• Experimental Design Creation

Objectives

• I will be able to articulate the importance of experimental design

• I will be able to describe the basic elements of experimental design and apply those elements to an original experiment

Experimental Design Creation

• Use the instruction sheet to complete this task with your group.

• You are to create an original experiment with your group.

• You are to actually conduct your experiment and identify all of the parts of experimental design.

• You will need to write up a conclusion after your experiment is completed.

Warm up (9-10-15)

Explain how your group used the scientific method when conducting your experiment. Be as specific as possible.

Outline

• Objectives• Scientific Method Review• Peer Review• Experimental design Practice

Objectives

• Determine the importance of peer review and practice using peer review to evaluate the work of scientists.

• Practice experimental design and evaluating experiments using the guidelines established for good experimental design.

Experimental Design Creation

• Use the instruction sheet to complete this task with your group.

• You are to create an original experiment with your group.

• You are to actually conduct your experiment and identify all of the parts of experimental design.

• You will need to write up a conclusion after your experiment is completed.

Warm up (9-11-15)

Design an experiment about the human body’s response to exercise. – Please be specific and detailed. Remember the

parts of experimental design in your answer!

Outline

• Objectives• Experimental design creation• conclusion

Objectives

• Determine the importance of peer review and practice using peer review to evaluate the work of scientists.

• Practice experimental design and evaluating experiments using the guidelines established for good experimental design.

Experimental Design Creation

• TODAY is the last day for you to work on your experiments. You need to have your conclusion done by the end of class.

• Use the instruction sheet to complete this task with your group.

• You are to create an original experiment with your group.• You are to actually conduct your experiment and identify

all of the parts of experimental design.• You will need to write up a conclusion after your

experiment is completed.