Experimental Design and the
Scientific Method
Warm-up (9-8-15)
• Do you think you can perform an experiment
without using the scientific method? Explain
your answer and use evidence to support your
answer.
Outline
• Objectives
• Parts of Experimental Design Notes – Add to
Metric system title page
• Why is Experimental design important?
• Experimental Design Practice
Objectives
• I will be able to articulate the importance of
experimental design
• I will be able to describe the basic elements of
experimental design and apply those elements
to an original experiment
Why is experimental design
important?
• In your composition notebooks: QUICK WRITE
• Write down the importance of experimental
design.
• Identify how misuse of experimental design
could harm science.
• Use evidence to support your reasoning.
What is the PURPOSE of Experimental
Design?
• Randomize
– Even out effects we cannot control
– Ensure equal chance to all possibilities
• Control
– Make sure we only get results for what we want
What is the PURPOSE of Experimental
Design?
• Replicate
– Get as many replicates (repeats) as possible.
– Results for a single subject might not be accurate. (No
one is perfect on the first try all of the time.)
• Block
– Get rid of things we don’t want to study and that we
can’t control
• Best Experiments Are??
• The best experiments are usually randomized,
comparative, double-blind, and placebocontrolled.
Parts of Experimental Design
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Purpose
Hypothesis
Procedure
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Constants
Control group
Experimental groups
Why Do I Care?
• Experimental design determines the validity of
the results presented
• Determines whether or not you can trust the
experiment
• Scientific Method is the basis for all scientific
thinking and questioning
Scientific Method Steps
1. Identify the Problem
What do you want to know or explain?
2. Form a Hypothesis
What do you think will happen?
3. Create an Experiment
How will you test your hypothesis?
4. Perform the Experiment
Follow your procedure to test your hypothesis
5. Analyze the Data
Is your data reliable? Does it support your hypothesis?
Scientific Method Notes
How to Use a LabQuest
1. Press the on/off button
2. Set the labquest down (DO NOT TOUCH THE
SCREEN)
– This could mess up the calibration of the screen
3. Wait until the LabQuest turns on
4. Make sure the LabQuest is on the
appropriate screen…
– What task do you want to do? Look at the icons
LabQuest and Logger Pro Review
• Demonstrate proper techniques when using
the LabQuests and Logger Pro on the laptops
• Practice simple data collection tasks
Experimental Design Creation
• Use the instruction sheet to complete this task
with your group.
• You are to create an original experiment with
your group.
• You are to actually conduct your experiment
and identify all of the parts of experimental
design.
• You will need to write up a conclusion after
your experiment is completed.
Warm-up (9-9-15)
• For the experiment that your group chose,
write down the independent variable, the
dependent variable, and the control group. Be
sure to have the control group for the
comparison.
Outline
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Objectives
Scientific Method Notes
Why is Experimental design important?
Experimental Design Creation
Objectives
• I will be able to articulate the importance of
experimental design
• I will be able to describe the basic elements of
experimental design and apply those elements
to an original experiment
Experimental Design Creation
• Use the instruction sheet to complete this task
with your group.
• You are to create an original experiment with
your group.
• You are to actually conduct your experiment
and identify all of the parts of experimental
design.
• You will need to write up a conclusion after
your experiment is completed.
Warm up (9-10-15)
Explain how your group used the scientific
method when conducting your experiment. Be
as specific as possible.
Outline
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Objectives
Scientific Method Review
Peer Review
Experimental design Practice
Objectives
• Determine the importance of peer review and
practice using peer review to evaluate the
work of scientists.
• Practice experimental design and evaluating
experiments using the guidelines established
for good experimental design.
Experimental Design Creation
• Use the instruction sheet to complete this task
with your group.
• You are to create an original experiment with
your group.
• You are to actually conduct your experiment
and identify all of the parts of experimental
design.
• You will need to write up a conclusion after
your experiment is completed.
Warm up (9-11-15)
Design an experiment about the human body’s
response to exercise.
– Please be specific and detailed. Remember the
parts of experimental design in your answer!
Outline
• Objectives
• Experimental design creation
• conclusion
Objectives
• Determine the importance of peer review and
practice using peer review to evaluate the
work of scientists.
• Practice experimental design and evaluating
experiments using the guidelines established
for good experimental design.
Experimental Design Creation
• TODAY is the last day for you to work on your
experiments. You need to have your conclusion
done by the end of class.
• Use the instruction sheet to complete this task
with your group.
• You are to create an original experiment with
your group.
• You are to actually conduct your experiment and
identify all of the parts of experimental design.
• You will need to write up a conclusion after your
experiment is completed.