1. The Beet Lab Groups Data Variables Control Group? Experimental Group?
What to measure?
Qualitative and/or quantitative?
Variables
Controlled Variables
Independent Variables
Dependent Variables

2. Experimental Design It’s all about 3 Variables Independent Variables
Controlled Variables
Experimental Design- describes the manner in which you test your hypothesis through experimentation. Having correct experimental design is CRUCIAL to accurately testing your hypotheis. The stronger your experimental design is, the more reliable your results will be, and the more confident you can be when you draw conclusions from your data.
Variables: Scientists use an experiment to search for cause and effect relationships in nature. In other words, they design an experiment so that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way. A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. An experiment usually has three kinds of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled.

3. The 3 Variables Controlled Variables Dependent Variable
factors that you make sure don’t change
Dependent Variable
One item or factor you measure
Independent Variable
One item or factor you change and observe it’s effect
Controlled Variables – these are the factors or items in the experiment that you don’t allow to change. E.g. the number of daily walks, the amount of water, whether the dogs go swimming, etc
Independent Variable – this is the one (and only 1 ) factor or condition or item you change to see if there is an effect. For our dog experiment, this is the food.
Dependent Variable – this is the change you observe or measure in response to the independent variable that you control. For our dog experiment, this is the presence or absence of diarrhea

4. Groups and Repetitions
Control Group
Doesn’t receive treatment
No change in independent variable
“Baseline measure” to compare against
Experimental Group
receives the treatment
Independent variable
Number of Repetitions – how many times?

5. Two Types of Data Qualitative Data Quantitative Data
Observations that don’t contain numbers
Quantitative Data
Observations that can be measured using numbers

6. ED Practice
Example A: Your thinking - The further you sit from Dr G, the less chance you will get caught using your phone.
Hypothesis: If_________________________, then______________________ .
Independent Variable:
Dependent Variable:
Control Group:
Experimental Group:
Data Type:  Qualitative :  Quantitative
What would the graph of the data look like?
Hypothesis: If you sit closer to Dr. G, then you are more likely to get caught with your phone.
Independent Variable: Distance of your seat to Dr. G
Dependent Variable: # of times caught w/ phone
Control Group: Back Row
Experimental Group: All Rows Closer
Data Type:  Qualitative :  Quantitative

7. ED Practice Example B: Boys raise their hand more in class than girls.
Hypothesis: If_________________________, then______________________ .
Independent Variable:
Dependent Variable:
Control Group:
Experimental Group:
Data Type:  Qualitative :  Quantitative
What would the graph of the data look like?
Hypothesis: If you are a boy, then you will raise your hand more in the class.
Independent Variable: Whether Boy or Girl
Dependent Variable: Number of times hand raised in class
Control Group: Girls
Experimental Group: Guys
Data Type

8. Laboratory Report Format
1. Name and lab partner name(s)

9. Laboratory Report Format
2. Date of the Experiment

10. Laboratory Report Format
3. Lab Report Title
Captures Key Idea behind Experiment, or
Reason for Experiment, or
Conclusion Reached from Results

11. Laboratory Report Format
4. Hypothesis
a possible explanation
a question
a guess

12. Laboratory Report Format
5. Procedure
a step-by-step flow chart of how you did the experiment

13. Laboratory Report Format
6. Sketch of Setup
a drawing (or drawings) showing the setup of your experiment

14. Laboratory Report Format
7. Data
What you measure or observe during the experiment. You must identify the control, independent and dependent variables.

15. Laboratory Report Format
8. Analysis
restate the experiment in one sentence
present data in organized manner
discuss data as it relates to hypothesis
summarize data and any patterns

16. Laboratory Report Format
9. Sources of Error
suggest possible sources of error (not human)
explain how they may affect data

17. Laboratory Report Format
10. Conclusion
How did your results support or refute the hypothesis?
What follow on experiments might be done and why.