The Scientific Method Guided Worksheet

Directions: Answer the questions as you navigate through the webpage. Answer the questions using complete sentences.

Outside Links
Questions 6-14

Question 15

Questions 16-19

Questions 25-31 Additional link for questions 25-31.

* Required

Type Your Name Here *

Hypothesis

Read the information on the webpage and answer the questions below.

1. What are hypotheses? *

2. Distinguish between a null and an alternative hypothesis. *

3. What is an experiment? *

4. What are the main components involved with designing an experiment? *

5. Why is it important to keep a good record of materials used and procedures followed? *

Experimental Research

Navigate to http://www.experiment-resources.com/experimental-research.html (link provided at the top of the form) and answer the corresponding questions.

6. Define the experimental method. *

7. What are the components of a true experiment? *

8. What are the aims of experimental research? *

9. Summarize the steps taken in order to identify the resarch problem. *

10. What factors should be considered when constructing the research design? *

11. What is the purpose of a pilot study? *

12. Distinguish between the independent, dependent, and controlled variables in an experiment. *

13. What is the difference between raw and output data? *

14. True or False. If there is a correlation between two variables, then this is proof of causation. *

True
False

Materials and Procedures

Materials must be listed in each experiment performed. In order to identify the materials one should keep in mind how to make a good list of materials.

15. Choose the materials from this list that are listed in the optimal form. *

Ruler
Metric Ruler (accurate to 1mm)
350ml of deionized water
water
pipette
0.1ml pipette
2ml of 0.2M HCl
HCl

Write Procedures

Review the following link http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_experimental_procedure.shtml and answer the questions below.

16. Fill in the blanks. Type in the words that you would insert in the order in which you would insert them. Seperate answers wiht a comma. Write the experimental procedure like a ________________________ for your science experiment. A good procedure is so _______ and _______ that it lets someone else ______________________. _____________________ is an important step to verify that your results are _______________ and _________________________________________________. *

17. What is the first step in designing your experimental procedures? *

18. What is a trial? *|

I19. dentify the seven key elements of the experiemental procedure.

Conduct the Experiment, Collect, & Report the Data/Make the Observations

Read the information provided on the webpage and answer the questions below.

20. Idenfity what the researcher should record as they are conducting their experiment. *

21. Should mistakes be recorded? *

Graphing Data

Complete the tutorial and activity on the webpage.

Interpret the Data & Discuss the Results

Read the information on the webpage and answer the question below.

22. What types of questions should be answered in the discussion portion of the experiment? *

Writing a Discussion

Open the pdf file on the webpage and read the article. Answer the questions below.

23. What elements should be included in a discussion section? *

24. What elements should be avoided in a discussion section? *

Statistical Analysis and Identifying Errors

Navigate to the following two webpages (links above) http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=155 http://www.experiment-resources.com/type-I-error.html

25. What are the uses of statistics and statistical analysis? *

26. How are statistics and data variability related? *

27. According to The Design of Experiments, what concepts are key to good scientific research? *

28. What is the role of statistical randomization? *

29. Identify and describe the two general statistical techniques used for data analysis. *

30. What does it mean to say that something is statistically significant? *

31. Summarize the limitations, misconceptions, and the misuse of statistics in research. *

Draw Conclusions

Read the information provided on the webpage and answer the following question.

32. What types of questions should be included in the conclusion portion of an experiment? *

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