BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
To submit, read the lab, print or edit pages 6-10 to include your data, graph, and answers to
questions. Save your document and upload the completed document as a Word or PDF file in
Canvas.
If you have a disability that makes it difficult to complete this lab, please contact your instructor.
Please provide your instructor a copy of the Memorandum of Accommodation (MOA) from
NVCC Disability Support Services.
Objectives:
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Use the Scientific Method to design and complete a simple experiment.
Identify the control and experimental groups in the experiment.
Recognize the conditions that are held constant during an experiment.
Identify the independent and dependent variables in the experiment.
Collect and analyze data using tables and graphs.
Background:
Science is the process used to solve problems and to gain a better understanding of the natural
world. Scientists are constantly looking for better and clearer answers to a wide range of
questions. The basic method used to find the answers is called the Scientific Method. This
method is based on a set of core assumptions:
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There are specific causes for observed events in the natural world.
The causes of these events can be identified.
There are patterns and rules that can be used to describe observations.
The patterns and fundamental rules of nature are universal.
Science is an ongoing process that results in an evolution of our understanding of
the patterns and fundamental rules of nature.
The Scientific Method is a stepwise process used to develop answers.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Observation: Something that is seen or felt with the senses.
Question: How or why did an event occur?
Hypothesis: A tentative and testable answer to the question
Experiment: A controlled event that generates data.
Conclusion: After analysis of the experimental data, there will be 2 possibilities for a
conclusion:
A) the hypothesis is consistent with the data and the conclusion is “Do not reject
the hypothesis”
OR
B) the hypothesis is not consistent with the data and the conclusion is “Reject the
hypothesis.”
BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
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The question formulated from the observation must be logical and answerable. Hypotheses
developed from questions must be based on relevant information, testable, and falsifiable.
Experiments should be designed to minimize variability, meaning only small
details/variables (preferably only one) should be varied during the experiment in order to test
the hypothesis. These controlled experiments are best when only one variable is changed.
Lastly experiments must be repeatable to help ensure there is no bias in the results.
While an experiment is conducted, conditions are measured and monitored closely. Some
conditions of the experiment are held constant and remain the same during the experiment.
For example, a researcher testing the effect of nutrient conditions on plant growth will give
each plant the same amount of water, sunlight, air conditions, temperature, etc. The
independent variable is the experimental condition that the researcher changes during the
experiment in order to test the hypothesis. In the plant growth example, the concentration of
a particular mineral could be the independent variable. Ideally, only one variable is changed
when testing a hypothesis. The dependent variable is measured during the experiment, and
the measurements are carefully recorded. For example, the researcher measuring the
effect of a mineral on plant growth will grow identical plants with and without a particular
mineral. The researcher will give each plant (experiment) the same amount of water, sunlight,
amount of soil, and conduct the experiment over the same time period. The researcher can
then measure the dependent variables such as: plant height, plant color, flower production,
fruit production, etc. This data can be recorded in tables or charted on graphs. When graphing
data from an experiment the independent variable is on the horizontal (X-axis) and the
dependent variable is on the vertical (Y-axis).
Cornell, B. 2016. Soil Content. [ONLINE] Available at: https://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/option-c-ecology-andconser/c6-nitrogen-and-phosphorus/soil-content.html. [Accessed 24 April 2020].
BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
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Experiments are often submitted for peer review and are repeated by other scientists. The
results of an experiment often stimulate additional hypotheses and experiments. Over time,
a large number of experiments that investigate a natural phenomenon and generate
consistent data may lead to a consensus among scientists about the interpretation of this
data. A theory may be formed from this scientific consensus. In some branches of science,
a theory develops into a law, which is generally expressed by a mathematical formula used
to explain and predict actions. In physics and chemistry there are several examples of laws.
In this experiment, you will use the internet to research resting heart rate and recovery after
exercise, use your lecture textbook and the internet to learn more about the scientific method,
and collect data on your own heart rate to complete the data set.
Materials:
● Calculator
● Internet
● Stop watch or timer
● BIO 101 lecture textbook
Safety:
When running in place keep a safe distance from others and objects around you.
Procedure:
Before Data Collection
1. Use the internet to research how exercise affects heart rate and heart rate recovery
after exercise.
2. Before you collect your own data, complete questions 1-4 on page 6 (based on your
internet research).
BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
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Data Collection
1. Heart rate data from other students are provided for you. The data are organized
into the following groups:
•
•
A control group (those who did NOT exercise)
An experimental group (those who exercised).
The groups were randomly selected (mix of male and female), but your heart
rate data are missing.
2. Each student was given an identifying number in order to keep track of the data.
The Students in the Control Group are be labeled C1, C2, C3, C4, and so on.
Students in the Experimental Group are labeled E1, E2, E3, E4, and so on. You
will be part of the experimental group, E16, unless you have a disability that
prevents participation (then you will be part of the control group, C16). Conduct the
experiment as described below and add your data into the data table in the
appropriate box.
3. Practice finding your pulse points on either your wrist or neck. This will be essential
when measuring your heart rate from either the wrist or neck pulse points.
4. Determine your resting heart rate. Use one of the pulse points at either your wrist
or neck to count your heart beats during a 15 second time frame (use a clock or
timer). Multiply by 4 to calculate your resting heart rate in beats per minute. Record
this data for yourself in the “Rest” column of the row for E16 (or C16), depending
on which group you chose to be part of.
5. The Experimental group ran in place for two minutes. You are E16 in the Experimental
group, so you should also run in place for two minutes (or sit in place if you are C16 in the
Control group). For your safety, move to a place that will allow you to exercise without
running into another person or any large objects.
6. Immediately after running in place (or sitting for the control group), measure your heart rate
as described in step 1. Use one of the pulse points at either your wrist or neck to
count your heart beats during a 15 second time frame. Multiply by 4 to calculate
your heart rate in beats per minute. Record this data in the Time 0 (T – 0) column
of the Data Table below.
7. Every two minutes for the next ten minutes measure your heart rate as described
in step 1. Use one of the pulse points at either your wrist or neck to count your heart
beats during a 15 second time frame. Multiply by 4 to calculate your heart rate in
beats per minute. Record these data points in the Data Table below. Both groups,
Control and Experimental, measured their heart rates every 2 minutes for 10
minutes.
BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
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8. After you have recorded your data in the row for E16 (or C16), complete the data
table on page 8 by calculating the average heart rates at each time for the
Experimental Group and for the Control Group.
9. On page 9, graph the heart rate averages data on the graph paper provided. Your
graph should have two lines (one for the Experimental Group average values and one
for the Control Group average values). Be certain to label the x-axis and y-axis.
10. Answer questions 5 -10 on page 10.
BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
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BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method Worksheet
Data Analysis and Synthesis Questions
1. Observations about heart rate and recovery time after exercise (from class discussion or
internet research):
2. Question to be answered in this experiment:
3. Hypothesis (a simple statement that is testable and falsifiable):
4. Prediction (if...then statement relating hypothesis to the experiment to be performed):
BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
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Data Table
ID #
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
C8
C9
C10
C11
C12
C13
C14
C15
C16
Resting
Heart Rate
0
Time since exercise stopped (minutes)
2
4
6
8
60
70
82
89
74
62
87
88
92
60
61
91
81
71
75
59
71
85
89
73
66
87
87
90
60
60
89
80
71
75
63
71
84
85
74
65
88
89
88
63
63
90
80
68
76
64
69
85
90
72
61
87
86
91
61
61
89
82
69
75
61
71
86
88
77
61
84
88
88
63
62
91
80
68
75
62
69
85
86
75
63
88
88
87
62
61
89
81
69
72
60
70
84
87
72
63
85
89
87
62
62
89
80
68
74
60
70
82
89
74
62
87
88
92
60
61
91
81
71
75
160
170
200
190
100
92
100
176
100
103
89
118
132
121
94
120
122
138
141
80
61
90
122
95
94
79
198
113
97
84
65
79
89
90
74
62
87
93
92
84
66
91
99
69
79
62
70
86
90
73
62
86
93
91
66
59
90
82
69
75
61
70
85
90
73
61
87
93
91
64
61
90
82
69
74
61
70
85
90
73
62
87
93
91
64
60
90
82
69
74
10
Control
Group
Averages
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
E6
E7
E8
E9
E10
E11
E12
E13
E14
E15
E16
Experimental
Group
Averages
BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
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Construct a line graph showing the heart rate averages versus time.
The graph illustrates the results of the experiment.
BIO 101 Lab 01: Scientific Method
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5. Name 2 experimental conditions held constant during this experiment.
_________________________
_________________________
6. On the graph, what is the independent variable?
7. On the graph, what is the dependent variable?
8. Which of the 2 possible conclusions can be drawn from the heart rate experiment?
Possible Conclusion 1:
If the data supports the hypothesis, then scientists do not reject the hypothesis.
Possible Conclusion 2:
If the data does NOT support the hypothesis, then scientists reject the hypothesis.
9. What is the purpose of the Control group in this experiment?
10. Are there any aspects of the heart rate experiment that could lead to inaccurate
results? How can you modify the experiment to fix these problems?
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