Experimental Plan Worksheet

Use this worksheet to do an experiment. The first two pages are for collecting background knowledge of the subject. Write down every source that you use so that you can cite them in your report. Follow the instructions and answer all of the questions and you should have an acceptable experiment report.

NAME:______

Partners: ______

FRAMING THE INVESTIGATION

PROBLEM:

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: (general background information)

Sources:

Text books

Encyclopedias

Websites (for pictures/diagrams only)

Cite EVERY source!!

Source 1:

Title:

Publisher, year published:

Source 2:

Title:

Publisher, year published:

Source 3:

Title:

Publisher, year published:

Source 4:

Title:

Publisher, year published:

Background information notes:

Write down the background information that you are likely to include to introduce your topic.

Include only information that is related to the variables that you are going to test or control.

List/ Describe variables that could affect your test subject:

A.)

B.)

C.)

D.)

E.)

FRAMING THE INVESTIGATION (cont.)

FORMING YOUR HYPOTHESIS:

A.)Choose 1 of the variables to change (experimental group) and make sure that you keep the other variables constant for all groups.

1 changed variable:

All other variables that will be kept constant:

B.)Use your pre-lab research and your prior scientific knowledge to make a prediction about the out come.

(what do you think will happen?? Explain why you think this will happen)

DESIGNING THE INVESTIGATION:

Describe the step- by- step process that you will use to test your hypothesis:

(Include all materials needed for measurement)

DESIGNING THE INVESTIGATION: (continued)

Describe the step-by- step process that you will use to test your hypothesis:

(Include all materials needed for measurement)

DESIGNING THE INVESTIGATION: (cont.)

Use this space to continue your procedure if you need extra space.

DESIGNING THE INVESTIGATION (cont.):

What safety procedures do you need to take?

(Safety attire, cautions, etc.)

Which variable are you going to test?

(Which factor are you going to change in your experiment?)

Which variables are you going to control?

(Which factors will you try to keep the same in all trials?)

COLLECTING AND PRESENTING DATA

Make a data table using the columns and rows provided below.

Include a title for the table. Also, label each column and row that you use.

(If you need a different style of data table, you can make one using Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel)

A / B / C / D / E / F / G
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Analysis/ Conclusions:

Using your observations (data collected in experiment) decide if your prediction was correct. Include references to data as support for your conclusion.

(IT IS OKAY IF YOUR PREDICTION WAS INCORRECT…JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU DISCUSS VARIABLES THAT AFFECTED THE OUTCOME)

Analyze the reliability of your collected data:

(list any imperfections for the categories mentioned below)

-Is it precise?

-Is it accurate?

-Is only one variable being tested?

-Does it use quantitative (numerical / standardized) measurement?

-Could the conditions be repeated by yourself and others?

Analysis/ Conclusions: (continued)

Changes for next time:

(Explain the things that you could change if you were to repeat this experiment to fix or reduce the imperfections)