Created by: Marci Russell Bandung Independent School Lab Write-Ups Grade 7 Created by: Marci Russell Bandung Independent School

The Scientific Method Scientific inquiry begins with observation. Ask a Question Science inquiry involves asking questions and processing information from a variety of reliable sources.

Research Question: What is it you are testing? The RQ should … Image source: bullseyearchery.info Come from observations Be clear Be quantitative One question Explain what the lab is about Include the independent and dependent variables.

Background Information Background info should… Clarify what your lab will be about Remind readers about important scientific information Introduce key points of the lab Be at least ½ a page Include key terms and cited information (min. 2 sources) Include diagrams/pictures to support the information Include person and global connections Image source: changeonesmind.wordpress.com

Hypothesis: an educated guess The hypothesis should… Be a statement (1 sentence) Include the I.V. and D.V. Be quantitative Be clear and complete Image source: pascencio.cos.ucf.edu

Explanation of Hypothesis The explanation should… Explain why you made the hypothesis Be supported scientifically Be cited if appropriate Include a basic graph of how you anticipate the results. Image source: cartoonstock.com

Variables Independent: what you are changing There are 3 types: Image source: (http://faculty.clintoncc.suny.edu/faculty/michael.gregory/ Independent: what you are changing Dependent: what you measure Constant: what stays the same Link to The Simpson’s Variables Activity Image source: pearly3000.tripod.com

Materials: What do you need? Materials (tools) should… Be listed with bullet points or numbers Include everything you will need be quantitative include units Include volumes, masses, quantities, etc… Use correct scientific vocab Scientific names, brand names, etc… Image source: archkidecture.org

Method: What do I do? Give step by step instructions The method should… Image source: blogs.discovermagazine.com Give step by step instructions Be clear and easy to follow Be quantitative Include all steps even setting up the control variables Include units

Method: What do I do? Safety/Ethical considerations Apparatus/Equipme nt Setup Recording Results Analyzing Results

Uncertainties

Apparatus Set up

Data Collection Table Include only raw data Be easy to read The d.c. table should … Include only raw data Be easy to read Have at least 5 increments of I.V. and 5 trials Show units and uncertainties Include a title Include I.V. and D.V. Include data with consistent # of decimal points

Data Processing

Data Presentation

Conclusion Patterns/Trends in the graph of the results Comparisons of IV increments Comparisons with published data Scientific Explanation Discuss qualitative data Discuss raw data Anomolous points (outliers) Was the data related to the hypothesis or RQ Did the data “support” the hypothesis Suggest further investigations Cite 3-5 sources (APA style) 1 page

www.ielts-mentor.com

Evaluation Analyze how sufficient the data is to address the RQ Analyze the appropriateness of the range of IV Anomolous points identified and explained Qualitative data discussed Was there random biological variation? Measurement/Instrument errors Problems with the method Other limitations www.bellarmine.edu

Improving the Experiment Are improvements realistic and achievable? Do they address the RQ? Are they specific and clear? Citations are needed