Nature of Science More science fair fun!

Writing Background Research Questions You should have at least 1 background question for each of the following 4 categories: 1.Entity  Specific types that are easily studied  Its structure & function  Handling/care/safety/ethics within a controlled environment 2.Independent Variable 3.Dependent Variable 4.Connections between the Entity and the IV and DV

Writing Background Research Questions You should have at least 1 background question for each of the following 4 categories: 1.Entity 2.Independent Variable  Its structure and function  How it can safely and ethically be manipulated 3.Dependent Variable 4.Connections between the entity, the IV, and the DV

Writing Background Research Questions You should have at least 1 background question for each of the following 4 categories: 1.Entity 2.Independent Variable 3.Dependent Variable  Its structure and function  How changes can be best measured, recorded and observed 4.Connections between the entity, the IV and the DV

Writing Background Research Questions You should have at least 1 background question for each of the following 4 categories: 1.Entity 2.Independent Variable 3.Dependent Variable 4.Connections between the entity, the IV and the DV  Learn what is already known about these relationships (i.e. previous research on this topic)

Example Refer to the Otter Experimental Design and the corresponding background research questions on the back

Background Research Questions – student handout #3 This handout involves the following: 1.Background questions for the 4 categories – minimum of 1 question per category 2.Bibliography Page - using MLA documentation, write out the bibliography entries below. You must have a minimum of 5 resources. (see copied chapter 10) 3.Page for taking notes from each resource. This page should reference the bibliography page for easy citation. This handout is due _____10/4/12______

Writing Hypotheses Start with a draft using any of the following sentence formats as a guide: 1.If __(IV)__ is related to __(DV)__, then (predict the effect). 2.If the __(IV)__ is (describe the changes), then the __(DV)__ will (predict the effect). 3.__(DV)__ will (predict the effect when __(IV)_ (describe the changes).

Writing Hypotheses Your hypothesis should include: 1.Independent variable 2.Dependent variable 3.A prediction of what kind of effect the IV will have on the DV (should be based on your background research!) 4.When possible quantify your hypothesis

Writing Hypotheses Practicing Writing Hypotheses ▫Student Handout #4 – do #1 NOW! ▫Finish for homework – don’t worry about writing the last section that asks you to write a few hypotheses for your own research topic.

Proposal Writing A written document that describes the proposed experimental design of a research project This is a process that will allow me to give you feedback prior to final report of your findings Should include the following headings: ▫Title ▫Introduction ▫Experimental design table ▫Hypothesis ▫Materials ▫Methods

Title Concise, descriptive, informative Not in the form of a question Must include IV and DV Can use the following format: ▫The effect of __(IV)__ on the __(DV)__

Introduction State the problem or topic and why you are studying Explain how you are addressing the problem & how you plan to find the solution See copied chapter 10 for more direction

Experimental Design Table Update your Experimental Design Table (student handout #2 which you will have turned in on 9/20/12) You will get this back in time with feedback to make changes

Hypothesis Write a hypothesis for your project including all important aspects of a good hypothesis… 1.Independent variable 2.Dependent variable 3.A prediction of what kind of effect the IV will have on the DV (should be based on your background research!) 4.When possible quantify your hypothesis

Materials Provide a list of the materials required to conduct your experiment Include items need to set up the experiment, consumables (items that will be used up during the experiment), tools, and instruments Brands, suppliers, and models are all important details

Methods Describe how the experimental design procedure will be carried out Should be written in enough detail so that another person would be able to replicate the experiment Describes the “how” and the “how much” of the experiment and makes up the bulk of your proposal

Before the methods you may want to… 1.Refer to your background research 2.Run some pre-trials – pretest to tweak the procedure ▫For example – seed germination pretrial may involve trying several seed types before choosing a specific species ▫For example – stream study pretrial may practice various methods of recording water velocity to determine the best method

Proposal Writing Due date ___10/26/12__