Experimental Design

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Should identify a cause and effect relationship

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

Is a prediction of the relationship between the two variables. “If, independent variable, then, dependant variable”

Question 3

Risk assessment

Answer 3

Must identify the main risks associated with your experiment and how you are going to mitigate these

Question 4

Variables

Answer 4

Must have three types of variable and must be quantitative (numbers)

Question 5

Independent variable

Answer 5

You change (on x axis of graph)

Question 6

Dependant variable

Answer 6

You measure (on y axis of graph)

Question 7

Controlled variable

Answer 7

Stays the same.

Question 8

Control

Answer 8

What is the control against which all other experimental data will be compared. The experiment which all other experimental data is compared to

Question 9

Method

Answer 9

Must be in numbered steps, in past tense, written in third person without pronouns

Question 10

Diagrams

Answer 10

Drawn in lead pencil with a ruler and must be labelled

Question 11

Tables

Answer 11

To represent your data. Independent variable in LHS or top row, and dependent in RHS or bottom row. quantitative data. Experiment should be repeated three times and a column for the average

Question 12

Graphs

Answer 12

Representation of your data. Make it as big as possible. Must be in format x/y. Axes are labelled and a rule, graph paper and lead pencil is used

Question 13

Discussion

Answer 13

Describes the trend using data as evidence, explanation of why you got this data (using science), states and describes difficulties and problems encountered, describes how they were overcome. Suggests ways to improve experiment in the future. Describes how you might improve reliability and accuracy

Question 14

Conclusion

Answer 14

Sums up your experiment and refers to the hypothesis

Question 15

Title

Answer 15

Identifies the relationship to be studied

Question 16

Hypothesis form

Answer 16

If the (independent variable) is related to the (dependant variable) then as the (independent variable) increases/decreases etc, the (dependent variable) will increase/ decrease etc

Question 17

Validity

Answer 17

What you’re setting out to test, controlling the variables and only having 1 independent and 1 dependant variable

Question 18

Accuracy

Answer 18

Using correct and accurate measuring tools

Question 19

Reliability

Answer 19

Results you get consistently. Need repetition