Practical investigations
Define the different types of variable
Reference: SW10 Pg 6-7
Use this site to define the different types of variable that occur in any experiment
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_variables.shtml
Independent Variable (IV): X
Dependent Variable (DV): X
Control Variable (CV): X
For an experiment to produce VALID results, it must be a FAIR TEST. Explain what makes an experiment a fair test. X
Go to this site for three different experiment situations:
http://wghsjuniorscience.weebly.com/experiments.html
For each experiment identify the independent, dependent and at least three control variables.
Experiment 1
IV: X
DV: X
CVs:
X
X
X
Experiment 2
IV: X
DV: X
CVs:
X
X
X
Experiment 3
IV: X
DV: X
CVs:
X
X
X
Write an aim and hypothesis
Reference: SW10 Pg 9
Each experiment has to have a reason to be done and that reason must be in the form of a test.
Define the terms
Aim: X
Hypothesis: X
For each of the three experiments, write an aim and a hypothesis.
Experiment 1
Aim: X
Hypothesis: X
Experiment 2
Aim: X
Hypothesis: X
Experiment 3
Aim: X
Hypothesis: X
Correctly tabulate data and draw and label appropriate graphs
Data tables
Data tables should follow the same format:
Explain why the Dependent Variable needs to have at least THREE trials. X
Explain why an average for the Dependent Variable is used. X
Draw up data tables using the results for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 on this web page:
http://wghsjuniorscience.weebly.com/results.html
Graphs
Reference: SW10 Pg 10-11.
The type of graph you use depends on the type of data you have.
Discrete is either/or data e.g. type of animal, favourite colour, number of legs.
Continuous is a measurement e.g. height, weight, length, temperature, time.
Bar graphs are used when the Independent Variable is discrete data
Histograms are used when the Independent Variable is continuous but each measurement falls into a range of measurements e.g. height between 150-155cm.
Line graphs are used when the Independent Variable is continuous.
The line graph is the most commonly used type of graph.
To correctly draw a graph you must use TELLX
T: X
E: X
L: X
L: X
X: X
Using the data tables you produced before, draw graphs on graph paper. Make sure to use TELLX.
Line graphs can be used to make a prediction of a missing value. Describe the steps to making one of these predictions.
X
Interpret data to solve a given problem and make a generalisation
Conclusion
Your conclusion should include:
Make a conclusion for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 based on the graphs you have made.
Experiment 1
X
Experiment 2
X
Generalisation
Generalisations are a rule that will happen in most situations and are based on experimental data.
Produce a generalisation for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 which would be true for most situations.
Experiment 1
X
Experiment 2
X
Write up either Experiment 1 or Experiment 2 on paper and hand in to your teacher for marking.
Make sure you include:
Carry out a practical investigation
During the year your teacher will give you the opportunity to perform investigations to practise what you have learned.
These investigations should be written up in your SciPad on pages xxx-xxx.
Define the different types of variable
Reference: SW10 Pg 6-7
Use this site to define the different types of variable that occur in any experiment
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_variables.shtml
Independent Variable (IV): X
Dependent Variable (DV): X
Control Variable (CV): X
For an experiment to produce VALID results, it must be a FAIR TEST. Explain what makes an experiment a fair test. X
Go to this site for three different experiment situations:
http://wghsjuniorscience.weebly.com/experiments.html
For each experiment identify the independent, dependent and at least three control variables.
Experiment 1
IV: X
DV: X
CVs:
X
X
X
Experiment 2
IV: X
DV: X
CVs:
X
X
X
Experiment 3
IV: X
DV: X
CVs:
X
X
X
Write an aim and hypothesis
Reference: SW10 Pg 9
Each experiment has to have a reason to be done and that reason must be in the form of a test.
Define the terms
Aim: X
Hypothesis: X
For each of the three experiments, write an aim and a hypothesis.
Experiment 1
Aim: X
Hypothesis: X
Experiment 2
Aim: X
Hypothesis: X
Experiment 3
Aim: X
Hypothesis: X
Correctly tabulate data and draw and label appropriate graphs
Data tables
Data tables should follow the same format:
- The Independent Variable is in the left column.
- The results for all of the different trials for the Dependent Variable in the middle columns.
- The average for the Dependent Variable trials in the right column.
Explain why the Dependent Variable needs to have at least THREE trials. X
Explain why an average for the Dependent Variable is used. X
Draw up data tables using the results for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 on this web page:
http://wghsjuniorscience.weebly.com/results.html
Graphs
Reference: SW10 Pg 10-11.
The type of graph you use depends on the type of data you have.
Discrete is either/or data e.g. type of animal, favourite colour, number of legs.
Continuous is a measurement e.g. height, weight, length, temperature, time.
Bar graphs are used when the Independent Variable is discrete data
Histograms are used when the Independent Variable is continuous but each measurement falls into a range of measurements e.g. height between 150-155cm.
Line graphs are used when the Independent Variable is continuous.
The line graph is the most commonly used type of graph.
To correctly draw a graph you must use TELLX
T: X
E: X
L: X
L: X
X: X
Using the data tables you produced before, draw graphs on graph paper. Make sure to use TELLX.
Line graphs can be used to make a prediction of a missing value. Describe the steps to making one of these predictions.
X
Interpret data to solve a given problem and make a generalisation
Conclusion
Your conclusion should include:
- The pattern in the data
- Proof of your pattern using some of the data you collected (this makes the conclusion VALID)
- Whether hypothesis is accepted or rejected
Make a conclusion for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 based on the graphs you have made.
Experiment 1
X
Experiment 2
X
Generalisation
Generalisations are a rule that will happen in most situations and are based on experimental data.
Produce a generalisation for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 which would be true for most situations.
Experiment 1
X
Experiment 2
X
Write up either Experiment 1 or Experiment 2 on paper and hand in to your teacher for marking.
Make sure you include:
- Aim
- Hypothesis
- List of Independent, Dependent and at least 3 Control Variables
- Table of results
- Correctly plotted and labelled graph
- Valid conclusion
- Generalisation
Carry out a practical investigation
During the year your teacher will give you the opportunity to perform investigations to practise what you have learned.
These investigations should be written up in your SciPad on pages xxx-xxx.