Situational Analysis
schmied/reid©2009	Levels 1 to 4
all rights reserved	Investigations

Level One: Investigation Analysis:

Analyze the assigned investigation, then identify and label these elements of the experiment.

Tell Why for each:

1. Study Subject (SS)

2. Manipulated Variable (MV)

3. Responding Variable

4. Control (Trial)

5. Experimental Trial

6. Tell the Scientific Question that is being investigated. (Use standard formats)

7. Create a Prediction for this experiment. (Use standard formats)

8. Propose a Hypothesis for the experiment. Explain how the investigation will test the hypothesis.

Level Two: Perform the Investigation

9. Write a Procedure for this experiment.

10. Work with teammates to correctly carry out the experiment.

11. Observe and record data from this experiment. Then make a standard CQC Data Table with all data correctly calculated.

12. Craft a standard format Line or Bar Graph (as instructed) to display the experimental data.

Level Three: Investigation Analysis Questions

13. Describe at least 2 controlled variables that were controlled and tell why each was controlled. Be prepared to defend your answer. (not the MV or the RV!).

14. Identify at least 2 uncontrolled variables (that matter) in this experiment and explain how each of these uncontrolled variables could have affected the experiment's results.

15. Clearly identify at least two sources of error and tell which category each is and tell WHY.

16. Use statistical procedures to analyze the experimental data. As a minimum

a. Calculate and show the High, Low Range for each set of trials.

b. Identify the key differences between the Experimental and Control trial data for each set (regular and validity) of trials.

c. Identify and Interpret patterns and variations in the Experimental trial data using previously identified patterns in the Control data, graphs, diagrams, symbols & words etc.

d. Make Inferences, not observations, about data gathered.

 

Level Four: Create a Conclusion using facts, reasons, evidence, & details

PLEASE FOLLOW THE FORMAT & USE THE DATA

a. Tell the scientific question being investigated

b. Restate the hypothesis

c. Tell if the hypothesis is Accepted or Rejected

d. Summarize the evidence from the Analysis (level three).

i. Show & Tell the Results: Explain why the hypothesis was accepted or rejected by comparing the Experimental trial data to the control data in a meaningful way. (This means use numbers including Hi's, Lows, Averages, Ranges, tell trends, patterns and variations in data.)

ii. Tell what you conclude from the data by doing this experiment

iii. Make inferences from your findings (data), not observations.

In your writing CLEARLY distinguish between the results (evidence) and your conclusions (explanations)

e. Evaluate the overall reliability of the experiment's data.

f. Explain at least 2 key sources of error that affected, could of, the experiment's outcome

g. Describe what was done to improve the experiment's Validity, or explain the experiment's validity.

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© 2009 John Schmied & Mike Reid all rights reserved