Step 5: Design Experiment
Your experiment will be designed based on the research question you have written and the hypothesis you want to test.
At its most basic level, an experiment involves changing the independent variable, to see how it affects the dependent variable. It is very important, though, to design your experiment carefully so that the results you observe are meaningful. Your design will be reviewed at multiple phases, first by your sponsor, then by the PJAS or PRSEF officials. You may need to revise or rewrite parts of your design BEFORE beginning your experiment.
If you are unsure of what to do, you should talk with your sponsor. Quick questions can be answered in an email, but you can also set up a time to work individually on your experimental design.
Materials
List everything you plan to use in your experiment. Be Clear – use brand names, sizes, and other characteristics if you can (and they are relevant). It’s not unusual to include a pen and paper for recording results. If you list too much and it’s not needed, we can always leave it out of your presentation.
ADD YOUR MATERIALS TO BLANK #7 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Levels of Independent Variable / Treatment Groups
Plan the groups you will have in your experiment. Each group will receive a different treatment, whether that means there will be different intensities or different types of treatment will depend on your project. Clearly spell out the differences in independent variable for each group. Each group should have a sample size of at least 5, though more is better. If possible, you should have a control group, which is a non-treatment. You will treat the control group in the same way as all other samples except for the absence of a treatment.
Note: Experimental units should be assigned to treatment groups randomly. The simplest way to do this is to write numbers on strips of paper and draw them from a hat.
ADD YOUR TREATMENT GROUPS TO BLANK #8 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Controlled Variables
Describe briefly how you plan to keep the other variables that might impact your experiment consistent.
ADD YOUR PLANS FOR CONTROLLED VARIABLES TO BLANK #9 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Procedure
Write a very precise set of steps you plan to follow. These steps need to be clear so that anyone could repeat your experiment exactly if they wanted to. You should include a step in which you randomly assign experimental units to their treatment group.
ADD YOUR PROCECURE TO BLANK #10 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Possible Risks & Safety Measures
Explain any potential risks you may encounter and how you plan to ensure safety as you conduct your experiment. You may not say there are no risks. Every experiment has risks, even if they are tiny risks or unlikely.
ADD YOUR RISKS AND SAFETY MEASURES TO BLANK #11 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Data Analysis
Describe how you plan to use the data that you record to decide whether your hypothesis is supported or not supported. Will you calculate the average of all of your trials? ...create a chart? ...do a statistical test?
ADD YOUR PLANS FOR DATA ANALYSIS TO BLANK #12 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
At its most basic level, an experiment involves changing the independent variable, to see how it affects the dependent variable. It is very important, though, to design your experiment carefully so that the results you observe are meaningful. Your design will be reviewed at multiple phases, first by your sponsor, then by the PJAS or PRSEF officials. You may need to revise or rewrite parts of your design BEFORE beginning your experiment.
If you are unsure of what to do, you should talk with your sponsor. Quick questions can be answered in an email, but you can also set up a time to work individually on your experimental design.
Materials
List everything you plan to use in your experiment. Be Clear – use brand names, sizes, and other characteristics if you can (and they are relevant). It’s not unusual to include a pen and paper for recording results. If you list too much and it’s not needed, we can always leave it out of your presentation.
ADD YOUR MATERIALS TO BLANK #7 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Levels of Independent Variable / Treatment Groups
Plan the groups you will have in your experiment. Each group will receive a different treatment, whether that means there will be different intensities or different types of treatment will depend on your project. Clearly spell out the differences in independent variable for each group. Each group should have a sample size of at least 5, though more is better. If possible, you should have a control group, which is a non-treatment. You will treat the control group in the same way as all other samples except for the absence of a treatment.
Note: Experimental units should be assigned to treatment groups randomly. The simplest way to do this is to write numbers on strips of paper and draw them from a hat.
ADD YOUR TREATMENT GROUPS TO BLANK #8 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Controlled Variables
Describe briefly how you plan to keep the other variables that might impact your experiment consistent.
ADD YOUR PLANS FOR CONTROLLED VARIABLES TO BLANK #9 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Procedure
Write a very precise set of steps you plan to follow. These steps need to be clear so that anyone could repeat your experiment exactly if they wanted to. You should include a step in which you randomly assign experimental units to their treatment group.
ADD YOUR PROCECURE TO BLANK #10 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Possible Risks & Safety Measures
Explain any potential risks you may encounter and how you plan to ensure safety as you conduct your experiment. You may not say there are no risks. Every experiment has risks, even if they are tiny risks or unlikely.
ADD YOUR RISKS AND SAFETY MEASURES TO BLANK #11 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
Data Analysis
Describe how you plan to use the data that you record to decide whether your hypothesis is supported or not supported. Will you calculate the average of all of your trials? ...create a chart? ...do a statistical test?
ADD YOUR PLANS FOR DATA ANALYSIS TO BLANK #12 ON YOUR EXPERIMENT WORKBOOK.
