Parts of a Lab

Gaiser Life Science

KnowWhat are the important parts of conducting a lab experiment?

Evidence

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1. high data

2. low data

Beginning the lab

- the initial question on which the lab is built- the initial question on which the lab is builtTestable question

Clarifying ?s Information

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hypothesis - a prediction of what will happed after the lab has been - a prediction of what will happed after the lab has been conductedconducted

Example: What will happen to the gill movement of a goldfish when it is put into water at different temperatures?

Example: If a gold fish is put into water with different temperatures, then its gill movement speed will change because the temperature will affect how well the fish can breathe.

1. The researcher creates a testable question. This is more than just a question; it is a question with enough information to launch the lab experiment.

2. In a hypothesis, the researcher predicts what might happen .

Parts of a Lab or Experiment

3. The hypothesis is always stated as an “IF,” “THEN,” “BECAUSE” statement.

Clarifying ?s Information

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1. Something is changed in the experiment.

The manipulated variable is the “IF” part of the hypothesis.

Example: If a goldfish is put into water of three different temperatures

Manipulated variable

- the part of the experiment or lab that the researcher changes.- the part of the experiment or lab that the researcher changes.

Example: the different temperatures of water being used

Responding variable

- the data that the experiment provides for the researcher- the data that the experiment provides for the researcherExample: the speed at which the goldfish’s gills move

When the experiment or lab is conducted, it will give the researcher data.

Parts of a Lab or Experiment

data - information- information

Example: If a goldfish is put into water of three different temperatures then its gill movements will slow down or speed up..

The responding variable is the “THEN” part of the hypothesis.

Clarifying ?s Information

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The researcher decides what will be necessary to conduct the experiment and writes out a list of materials.

2. Make a list of materials.

Parts of a Lab or Experiment

3. Write a procedure.

The researcher must write out a detailed step by step set of instructions for others who might duplicate the lab.

Example: 3 fish bowls, 1 goldfish, thermometer, & ice

Example: Step 1. Fill three fish bowls with tap water and allow to stand at room temperature. Step 2. Add ice to the second bowl to cool it 10 degrees C. etc., etc., …

4. Begin the experiment.

Start the experiment and record any data collected in a data table.

Clarifying ?s Information

tables - Data that is displayed in an array of boxes- Data that is displayed in an array of boxes

Example: table of gill beats per minute

graphs - Data that is displayed in coordinates against a gridwork of lines- Data that is displayed in coordinates against a gridwork of lines

The researcher takes the data from the data table and arranges it into a graph, which is easier and quicker to read.

Example: an X Y graph

5. Graph the data.

Parts of a Lab or Experiment

4. Begin the experiment.

Start the experiment and record any data collected in a data table.

X AXIS

YAXIS

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Clarifying ?s InformationA properly designed graph should have a title, a key, clearly labeled X and Y axes, and easy to read lines and points.

Parts of a Lab or Experiment

6. Interpret the data.

6. When the data can be understood by reading the graph, the researcher must make a decision.

Example: was the hypothesis supported or not?

How is a graph designed?

7. Write a conclusion/ explanation.

When the researcher writes the conclusion/explanation, he/she should restate the hypothesis, decide if the hypothesis was supported or not, and decide whether further experimentation should be carried out.

Example 1: According to the research, the gill beats of a goldfish slowed down as the temperature of its water was lowered. These findings do support the hypothesis and no further research is needed.

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Example 2: According to the research, the gill beats of a goldfish stayed the same as the temperature of its water was lowered. These findings do not support the hypothesis and further research is needed.

Clarifying ?s Information

Summary:

Parts of a Lab or Experiment

The final step of the lab is to repeat Steps 1-8 to verify validity.8. Test for

validity. For future labs, the researcher should make recommendations for how the experiment can be improved for further studies.

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Example: According to the research, the gill beats of a goldfish stayed the same as the temperature of its water was lowered. These findings do not support the hypothesis and further research is needed.

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