Experiment Design/Proposal
Experiment Design Proposal/ Plan (on Google Docs)
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Experiment Proposal – Due on or before October 3, 2018 (unless protocol project, which will be earlier)
Please use template for the plan under your name located on the class "Google Docs" page to type in your proposal (you may also download it to your computer and print it out, but if it is on "Google Docs" you will be able to access it and work on it at school and I will also have access to help you).
Each student must submit an experiment design worksheet - it is the work that you propose to do. This is a detailed proposal that outlines the student’s topic and the experimental process they will use to complete their project. The experimental plan MUST be typed and include the following:
A. Rationale behind your research. Why is your research important (simply put, why should society care about this?) Explain how your research could impact the environment, people, industry, education, etc.
B. What is your science research topic? The question or problem being addressed – What is the thought or question your project will address, i.e. “Does vibration increase cell activity in planaria?” (Consumer product comparisons are not allowed, such as, "Which cooler keeps things cold the longest.")
C. Hypothesis – Remember, this is not a question. It is a statement and an explanation of what you think will occur, using observations and prior knowledge. Your hypothesis should follow the “If I ___ then I expect ___ to happen because we know ____. " statement.
D. Procedures – Detail ALL steps, your procedure must be written in “1, 2, 3 order” use complete sentences.
E. List all materials you will use in your experiment (include personal safety materials, such as disposable gloves and protective eye wear/googles).
F. List any tools you will use in your experiment for construction, set-up, or data collection.
G. Explain all risks and safety precautions you will take for each risk. ALL projects have risks and you must not leave this area blank. Example: Risk - Water may be spilled on the floor and may be a slipping hazard. Safety Precaution - Researcher will have paper towels on hand to immediately clean up any spills (and you must have paper towels on your materials list)
E. Data Analysis/procedures. This is your Experimental Design – you must include:
* Control (if applicable)
* Manipulated variable (independent variable)
* How many trials you will perform (must complete a minimum of 3 trials)
* Responding variable (dependent variable)
* Description of how you will measure your responding variable: all measurements
must be in (SI) metric units.
* Constants (minimum of 3 but must include all that are there during the experiment)
You may not begin your experiment until your teacher signs your proposal.
Protocol Projects: Experiments with pathogens (Microbiology) are not permitted. Some animal and human behavior projects are allowed but require early paperwork before the experiment can begin. For projects using human subjects, the student scientist must complete all paperwork prior to starting and have a sampling of a minimum of 100 subjects.
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