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Experimental Design. Student Cheat Sheet 2017. Variables. Independent variable (IV): the variable that is purposely changed in an experiment. Dependent variable (DV): the variable that responds to the change (IV). It is measured or observed. IV groups.
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Experimental Design Student Cheat Sheet 2017
Variables • Independent variable (IV): the variable that is purposely changed in an experiment. • Dependent variable (DV): the variable that responds to the change (IV). It is measured or observed.
IV groups • Different types of IVs that are used • Ex. Type of Vitamin • IV Groups: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C Always include UNITS on IV or DV if needed
Constants • Things that are kept the same in an experiment. Everything besides the IV must be kept constant for the experiment to be valid. • It’s important to keep all other variables constant so the experimenter knows what is causing the DV to change.
Control • The group that is used as a standard of comparison in an experiment. The control may be “no treatment” or “experimenter selected” It allows you to know if the IV truly affected the DV.
Experimental Question • A question which deals with how the IV will affect the DV. • How does the ____________(IV) affect the ______________ (DV)? • Don’t forget the Question Mark!
Hypothesis • A prediction made about a possible outcome of an experiment • It must be testable and based on previous knowledge • It is a statement that includes the IV and DV. • Must include: If … then • Must be specific! (Pick an IV group and DV change)
Data Table • Must have TITLE at the top including the IV and DV: The effect of __________ (IV) on the ____________ (DV). • IV: left column- include units • DV: top middle- include units • Trials- top • Average- right column
DV: Title: include the IV and DV
Graphs • Must have title at the top- the same as the title on data table • X-axis- IV (units) • Y-axis- DV (units) • Half Rule- Use most of the graph paper • Graph only the Averages! • Include labels or keys for multiple lines or bars • Use appropriate scale on each axis
Bar graph or line graph? • Line graph: data is related and continuous ex. Time or Temperature • Bar graph: data is unrelated categories or discontinuous ex. Honda, Ford, Chevy
Conclusion • Purpose of the lab- restate the experimental question • Data- report major findings- put data table into words using averages • Hypothesis – state it and tell if it was “supported” or “not supported” by the data • Patterns in the data (look at graph) • Recommendations for improvements (Players Don’t Hate Players Rock!)