AP Biology
Experimental Design Summary
Name: ________________________
Date: ______________ Per: ______
Required Lab 1: Osmosis and Diffusion
1. Background Abstract
On a separate piece of paper, write a 200-400 word abstract that summarizes the major
biological concepts needed to understand the results of this experimental procedure. Refer to
your text, the lab objectives, and the background information provided in the lab handout.
Attach your abstract to the back of this handout.
2. Hypothesis
Clearly state the hypothesis being tested by this experiment. State your hypothesis either as
an “If, then” statement, or “My hypothesis is”.
3. Control
Describe the control and indicate the purpose of the control.
4.
Variables
Identify the dependent and independent variables.
5. Other Potential Variables
Identify at least three other variables that are held constant in this experiment.
6. Manipulation of Test Variable
Indicate how the variable that will be tested will be manipulated (i.e. if you are testing the
effects of light intensity, how will you vary the light intensity?).
C. Gay 08/08
Steamboat Springs High School Biology
7. Data
Describe how the change in the variable will be measured, including units of measure.
8. Results
Describe how the function you are testing is affected by the change in the variable.
9. Verification
Describe how the data will be verified.
10. Analysis
Describe how the data will be analyzed (i.e. Chi Square test).
11. Interpretation
Relate possible results to the hypothesis. What kinds of results would lead to acceptance or
rejection of the hypothesis?
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Guidelines for Graphing Data
Label axes correctly (independent variable on the x-axis and dependent variable on the yaxis)
Include units on the axes, usually within parentheses following the variable descriptor.
Make certain to scale your increments correctly – each increment must represent the
same value.
Title the graph
If the instruction is to plot the points, no line needs to be drawn
If a line is drawn, do not extend it outside the plotted points. A continuing trend may be
indicated with a dotted line or an arrow at the end of the plotted line.
If multiple lines are drawn on the same graph, label each line clearly.
C. Gay 08/08
Steamboat Springs High School Biology