Conducting An Investigation

1
Conducting An Investigation
2
Steps of an Investigation

• Question/Problem
• Prediction/Hypothesis
• Materials List
• Procedure
• Collect Data/Data Table
• Conclusion

3
Question/Problem

• What is it you are trying to figure out?
• Make sure the question is clearly stated and not
  vague.

4
Prediction/Hypothesis

• Making and educated guess. What you believe is
  the answer is.
• A prediction/hypothesis must contain a reason.
• I believe this will happen because

5
Materials List

• A list of all the equipment you need to test your
  prediction or hypothesis
• Be sure to include size, amount and number of
  each item
• Be sure to include the amount need to run
  repeated trials

6
Procedure

• A procedure is a complete and detailed set of
  steps used to perform the experiment.
• The procedure must include the controlled
  variables, the manipulated variable and the
  method in which the responding variable is
  measured.
• The procedure should include multiple trials.
  (Repeat the procedure to insure valid results.)
  Good Science is Repeatable!

7
Experimental Variables

• Controlled Variables- All the things in an
  experiment that must be monitored or kept the
  same in order to prove or disprove the
  hypothesis/prediction.
• Manipulated Variable- The one thing in an
  experiment you change. The Manipulated variable
  is the one factor believed to be effecting the
  problem.

8
Experimental Variables cont..

• Responding Variable- The responding variable is
  the change caused by the manipulated variable. A
  responding variable is observable or measurable,
  and recorded as data during the experiment.

9
Conclusion

• A good conclusion must restate the hypothesis and
  state if it was correct or incorrect.
• Explain what really happened (Answer the
  investigative question).
• Use data to support your conclusion. Make sure
  enough data is used to completely explain what
  happened.
• Include an explanation of what the data means and
  shows.
• The data must be accurate and not distorted.
• Sum it up with a conclusive statement.