Transcript Setting Up Investigations

Setting Up Investigations
Research Question (Aim)
• What are you investigating?
• Include both the independent and
dependent variable OWTTE
• Simple statement – 1 sentence
Variables
Independent
Being changed between
tests
(one item)
Dependent
Measured / raw results
(one item)
Control
Kept the same to make it (should be multiple
a fair test
items, everything else
that could possibly affect
the experiment)
Hypothesis
• Should refer directly to the aim
• Should include both the independent and
dependent variable
• What bias to you bring to the experiment
• If possible refer reasons back to scientific
knowledge
Apparatus List
• Not compulsory, but highly recommended
• Should include the error of each
instrument where possible / relevant
Method
• What did you do?
• Best written as bulleted or numbered steps
• A good approach is to think about how
each variable is changed, measured
controlled and/or monitored
Results
• Table of raw data (including uncertainties)
• Table of processed data e.g.:
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Mean
min/max
%change
Reaction rate
Statistical tests (e.g. standard deviation)
• Graph of processed data
– look at errors in the data, e.g. include range bars when plotting mean
values, these indicate random and sometimes systematic errors
– Include a curve of best fit is there is a clear pattern
• Don’t forget:
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Correctly label data (whether a table or graph)
Units
Qualitative comments could be very helpful
Processed data should have the same precision as raw data
Calculation of Equipment Error
• Equipment error is the first and most basic type of systematic error
you will be examining
• Any error above 5% can bring into question the accuracy of the
results (though it is not always possible to stick to this)
• Include in the report before the conclusion and the evaluation
Instrument
Uncertainty
Amount
measured
% Error
(= uncertainty * 100 / amount
measured)
Conclusion
• Discuss the graph and the pattern (if any) and what it
shows
• Was the hypothesis proven?
• Was the data adequate for you to come to a conclusion?
• Were there any anomalous results. How did you cope
with them? What are possible reasons for them?
• What data (or pattern of data) supports these
statements?
• How does this relate back to scientific knowledge and
the research question?
Evaluation
• How well did the experiment go?
• What possible improvement or modifications could be
made
• What equipment could be used next time to minimise
error?
• What questions for future experiments arose?
Source of error/ area for
improvement
How significant is the
error?
Suggested Improvements