Reference no: EM132366800
Biology of Human Concerns - Scientific Method Lab
Introduction
Most of us use the scientific method every day of our lives. Whenever our computer does not work right we make an (1) observation, make a (2) hypothesis (decide what may be wrong), (3) experiment (test ideas when we change settings), and gather information (how does the computer respond with the new setting), and (4) make a conclusion (new setting corrected the problem or not). Were we right about our hypothesis? Does it work correctly now? Making another observation, do we need to modify our hypothesis?
A controlled experiment is one where we test or vary one factor at a time. We also need a standard to compare our experimental results to (control group). The experimental group is where we vary or change the factor being tested. All factors should be the same in the control group and experimental group, except for the one factor you are testing for.
The Scientific Method Steps
1. Observation 2. hypothesis 3. experiment 4. conclusion
Today in lab you will have the opportunity to practice the scientific method.
Materials
2 teaspoons (tsp) of liquid dishwashing detergent (Dawn or Joy work well)
½ cup of water
½ tsp of light syrup
Mix the above reagents together
Materials to blow bubbles (straw, paper clips, string, rubberbands, etc)
Initial procedure
For 5-10 minutes, go outside and blow bubbles using different equipment (straw, make something to use out of paper clips, string, rubber band, etc)
Make your observations
What did you observe about the bubbles? (color, size, how long they lasted, other observations). Be specific and detailed. Avoid using vague statements like "small, large, lasted a long time..." Write your observations below.
Hypothesis
Write down a testable hypothesis about one of the observations you made. A hypothesis should be written as a statement (not a question) that predicts what you think will happen. Make sure it is a specific, avoiding vague words. Choose a hypothesis that you could actually test and MEASURE.
Experiment
Design a controlled experiment and write down how you will test your bubble hypothesis above. In an experiment you must choose a variable to change, related to your hypothesis above. Give specific details on how you will perform the expermiment (materials and tools used, location, weather (if applicable)...). Repetition is important inorder for results to be believable. How many blows will you do for each of your variations? What is your control group? Make sure to include what you plan on measuring. Again, this should be something specific and measurable (size of bubble, time lasted, how far travelled...). RECORD THESE DETAILS BELOW.
Set up the experiment and do the testing.
***Include a picture of your materials/set-up or of the experiment being performed. You may either insert the picture directly into your Word document (go to "insert", choose "picture", and then find the file on your computer) or upload the pictures separately into the drop-box.
Results
Include a data table of your results. You must include specific measurements for EACH bubble that you blow (actual sizes, numbers, times...). Do not just summarize your results. I will not accept vague words like "small, bigger, better, lasted a long time." You can also include interesting observations.
Conclusion
Write down the conclusions(s) you made from your experiment. Summarize what you learned from your results above. Did your results support your hypothesis?
Other Questions
1. What is a controlled experiment? Describe how your experiment was a controlled experiment.
2. What was your control group in your experiment? Describe the importance of a control in an experiment.
3. What was the experimental group or experimental variable in your experiment?
4. What other variables might influence your experiment? Did you do anything to minimize the influence of these other variables, if so what?
5. What other or new hypothesis could you test concerning your observations?