The Science Research 10-14-09 99-2003 Compatibility Mode

8/14/2019 The Science Research 10-14-09 99-2003 Compatibility Mode

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THE SCIENCE RESEARCH

Bureau of Secondary Education

Department of Education

May 2008


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Planning the Science Research

Identifying the problem;

Identifying the variables;

Formulating the hypothesis; and

Planning the experimental procedure


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Identifying the Research Problem

Finding a Research TopicHardest part of a science research

Need to focus on topics which are interest to

you

Select a question that is going to be interesting

to work on for at least a month or two, and;

A question that is specific enough to allow youto find the answer with a simple experiment.


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Some characteristics of a good science

fair project question:

The question should be interesting

enough to read about then work on for the

next couple months.

There should be at least 3 sources of

written information on the subject. You

want to be able to build on the experience

of others!


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Now, for something like a science fairproject, it is important to think ahead. This

will save you lots of unhappiness later.

Imagine the experiment you might performto answer your question. How does that

possible experiment stack up against

these issues?


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The experiment should measure changes

to the important factors (variables) using anumber that represents a quantity such as

a count, percentage, length, width, etc. Or,


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Key Elements of the Experimental

Procedure

Description and size of all experimental

and control groups, as applicable

A step-by-step list of everything you must

do to perform your experiment.

The experimental procedure must tell how

you will change your one and only

independent variable and how you will

measure that change.


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The experimental procedure must explainhow you will measure the resulting change

in the dependent variable/s.

If applicable, the experimental procedureshould explain how the controlled

variables will be maintained at a constant

value.


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The experimental procedure shouldspecify how many times you intend to

repeat your experiment, so that you can

verify that your results are reproducible.

A good experimental procedure enables

someone else to duplicate your

experiment exactly.


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Where will you conduct your

experiment?

You may need a lot of room for your

experiment or you may not be able to

more your experiment around from place

to place. If you are working with human oranimal subjects, you may need a location

that is quiet. You will need to think about

these limitations before you start yourexperiment so you can find a location in

advance that will meet your needs.


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Conducting the Science Research

The second step in the science research process

is conducting the research consisting of:

1. Preparing for the conduct of the experiment;

2. Constructing the data table; and

3. Conducting the experiment.


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Preparing for the Conduct of the

Experiment

Know what to do.

Get a laboratory notebook for taking notes

and collecting data.

Be prepared. Collect and organize all

materials, supplies and equipment you will

need to do the experiment.

Think ahead about safety!


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Preparing the Data Table

Prepare a data table in your laboratory

notebook to help you collect your data. A

data will ensure that you are consistent in

recording your data and will make it easierto analyze your results once you have

finished your experiment.


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Sample Data Table

Trial Faucet Opening

(the IndependentVariable)

Water Flow

(the Dependent Variable)

#1 open [Write your date in this column as you makemeasurements during your experiment.]

#2 open

#3 open

#4 open

#5 Fully open

#6 Fully open


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Conducting the Actual Experiment

It is very important to take very detailed

notes as you conduct your experiments. As

addition to your data, record your observations

as you perform the experiment. Write down anyproblems, anything you do that is different from

planned, ideas that come to mind, or interesting

occurrences. Be on the lookout for the

unexpected. Your observations will be usefulwhen you analyze your data and draw

conclusions.


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Keep a lab notebook so that all your

information is kept in one place. The data that

you record will be the basis for your scienceresearch final report and your conclusions.

If possible, take pictures of your experiment

along the way.Remember to use numerical measurement as

mush as possible. If your experiment also has

qualitative data, then take a photo or draw a

picture of what happens.


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Be as exact as possible about the way

you conduct your experiment, especially in

following your experimental procedure,

taking your measurements, and note

taking.

In fact, its a good idea to do a quickpreliminary run of your experiment. Show

your preliminary data to your teacher, and

make revisions to your experimentalprocedure if necessary.


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Stay organized and be safe. Keep your

workspace clean and organized as you

conduct your experiment. Keep your

supplies within reach. Use protective gearand adult supervision as needed. Keep

any chemicals away from pets and

younger brothers or sisters.


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Processing the Results of the

Experiment

STEPS:

1.Classifying data;

2.Calculating and summarizing data; and

3.Interpreting data.


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Classifying Data

Quantitative data based on

measurements and use a scale of equal

interval.

Qualitative data gathered using

nonstandard scale or unequal intervals or

discrete categories.


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Both quantitative and qualitative data

can further be sub-divided into 4 scales

of measurement.

1. Nominal data data placed in discrete

categories which can not be ranked inascending and descending order.

2. Ordinal data data placed into

categories that can be ranked or orderedin the ascending or descending manner.


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3. Interval data data collected using ascale with equal interval but no absolute

zero value.

4. Ratio data data collected using a scaleof equal and an absolute zero value.


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Calculating and Summarizing Data

A spreadsheet program such as

Microsoft Excel may be a good way toperform calculations, and then later the

spreadsheet can be used to display the

results. Be sure to label the rows and

columns.


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You should have performed multiple

trials of your experiment. Think about the

best way to summarize your data. You

may want to calculate the average for

each group of trials, or summarize the

results in some other way such as ratios,

percentages, or error and significance.


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Perform any calculations that are necessary

for you to analyze and understand the data

from your experiment.

Use calculations from known formulas that

describe the relationships you are testing.Pay careful attention because you may need to

convert some of your units to do your calculation

correctly. All of the units for a measurement

should be of the same scale.


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Graphs are often an excellent way to

display your results.

For any type of graph:

Generally, you should place your independent

variable on the x-axis of your graph and the

dependent variable on the y-axis.Be sure to label the axes of your graph dont

forget to include the units of measurement.

If you have more than one set of data, show each

series in a different color or symbol and include a

legend with clear labels.


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Few of the Possible Types of Graphs

A bar graph might be appropriate for

comparing different trials or different

experimental groups. It also may be a

good choice if your independent variableis not numerical. (In Microsoft Excel,

generate bar graphs by choosing chat

types Column or Bar.)


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Example


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Time-series plot can be used if your

independent variable is numerical andyour independent variable is time.

In MS Excel, the line graph chart type generates atime series. By default, Excel puts a count on the x-axis.

To generate a time series plot with your choice of x-axis

units, make a separate data column that contains those

units next to your dependent variable. Then choose theXY (scatter) chart type, with a sub-type that draws line.)


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Example:


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X-Y Line Graph shows the relationship

between your dependent and independentvariables when both are numerical and the

dependent variable is a function of the

independent variable.

In MS Excel, choose the XY (scatter) chart type,

and then choose a sub-type that does draw a line.


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Example:


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Scatter plot might be the proper graph ifyoure trying to show how two variables

may be related to one another.

In MS Excel, choose the XY (scatter) chart

type, and then choose a sub-type that does not

draw a line.


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Example:


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Interpreting Data

Steps:

1.Write a topic sentence stating the independent

and dependent variables giving reference to

your tables and graphs.2. Write a sentence comparing the measure of

central tendency of the collected data.

3.Write a sentence describing the variations; and4.Write a statement on how the data support the

hypothesis.


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Evaluating the Science Research

It is the last step of the science

research process which involves

drawing conclusions and formulating

recommendations.


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Drawing Conclusions and

Recommendations

Your conclusions will summarize whether

or not your science research support or

contradict your original hypothesis.

If the results of your science experiment

did not support your hypothesis, dont

change or manipulate your results to fit

your original hypothesis, simply explainwhy things did not go as expected.


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Scientific research is an ongoing process,

and by discovering that your hypothesis isnot true, you have already made huge

advances in your learning that will lead

you to ask more questions that lead to

new experiments. Science fair judges do

not care about whether you prove or

disprove your hypothesis; they care how

much you learned.

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The Science Research 10-14-09 99-2003 Compatibility Mode