Science Field Manual- Shenton College

This document sets out the scientific inquiry model that we use at Shenton College. Use this as a
guide to write laboratory reports and to prepare for lab assessments.

Before the experiment

Definition Example

Aim A sentence or two that describes what the Our aim is to find out whether sunflower
investigation is trying to achieve. seeds germinate best in salty or fresh water.

Variable Any factor that can be controlled, changed, or measured in an experiment.

Independent ONE factor you are testing the effect of/changing Watering the sunflower seeds with 5ml of
variable to determine whether it causes a change in the freshwater or 5ml of salt water each day
dependent variable, you must remember to
include the units.

Dependent The factor you are observing to determine whether How many seeds germinate each day for a
variable it changes in response to the changes in the week
independent variable, remember the units.

Controlled The factors that will change the results of the ● All seeds must be on a bed of cotton
variables experiment if we don’t take care to manage them wool - made of 3 cotton balls in a
carefully, so they need to be kept the same petri dish.
throughout the experiment. They are generally not ● All seeds are watered at the same
things like the size of a test tube or temperature of time each day (8AM).
the room- these things don’t really make a big ● All seeds must get the same amount
difference. We like to have at least three of sunlight each day (6 hours).
controlled variables.

Control The group without the independent variable, used ● The seeds watered with the
group as a comparison or baseline. freshwater

Hypothesis This is what you think might happen, based on Placing sunflower seeds in salt water
your understanding of the dependent and reduces the germination rate to zero.
independent variables.
A good hypothesis should be a simple, testable
statement about the relationship between the
independent and dependent variables.
Don’t say “I think” or “I predict” or ‘because” or
“if… then…”
For example:
Increasing A decreases B.

Materials list Dot points and specific sizes and quantities  6 petri dishes
 2 10ml measuring cylinders
 ½ bag of cotton wool
 Salt water
 Fresh water
 Sunflower seeds

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 Method Should be a list format, in order and contain 1. Take 6 petri dishes and label 3 salt
quantities. You don’t need to start with ‘collect the water, 3 freshwater
equipment’. Someone else should be able to follow 2. Line each petri dish with 4 cotton
your method and do the experiment EXACTLY as wool balls
you did it. 3. Place 10 sunflower seeds into each
petri dish
Think of it like writing a recipe, or imagine it is 4. Water each of the 3 salt water petri
being videotaped, how would you describe what is dishes with 5ml of salt water
happening. 5. Water each of the 3 fresh water
petri dishes with 5ml of fresh water
6. Place the 6 petri dishes onto the
window sill where they will receive
equal sunlight.
7. Water each day at 9am, counting
the number of seeds germinated.

Rules for diagrams

1. Use a pencil, always.
2. Use a ruler for all straight lines
3. Diagram must be 2 dimensional (2D), usually a side view, no shading or depth required
4. Use measurements if appropriate
5. Clear (not crisscrossing) labels in pencil, label with arrows or lines, but they must touch the item they are
identifying

During the experiment

Rules for tables

1. Use a pencil
2. Use a ruler
3. Have a an overall title, as well as column and row titles.
4. Units are included in the heading of the table
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 5. Independent variable is usually the most left-hand column, the dependent variable is along the top row.
Tables need to be in ruler and pencil, have a title, units in the top row.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data

Qualitative data is a written description only. E.g. eye colour, colour of skittles, sex, subject choices in school, faster /
slower, hot or cold etc. Qualitative data is a discontinuous variable (also known as discrete data) and as such
CANNOT be plotted on a number line. Quantitative data is based on measurable quantities E.g. Height time, mass,
velocity, temperature, latitude, concentration of an acid. Quantitative data is a continuous variable and CAN be
plotted on a number line.

Graphing Data

In experiments we use the type of graph that best fits the types of data.
If the experiment involves Qualitative data, then we can only use a column graph or pie graph etc.
We cannot use a line graph, because one of the variables cannot be plotted on a number line.
If BOTH variables are Quantitative, then we should use a line graph or scatter graph with line of best fit.
A Line graph is the preferred type of graph in Biological Sciences and a scatter graph with line of best fit is the
preferred type of graph in Chemical Sciences.
It is OK to use an axis break, however it must only be between zero and the first data point.
The effect of sunlight exposure to the number of
tomatoes fruition per plant

Graph mark allocation

Graphs are usually worth 5 marks. You lose marks for missing these items:
1 mark graph title that reflects the variables (check the axes labels, they will guide you), don’t use vs.
1 mark correctly labelled axes with title
1 mark for the correct units on the axes, in brackets next to the axis title
1 mark correctly scaled, even axes (don’t forget to include a zero point)
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1 mark correctly plotted data points / columns
1 mark joined data points / lines of best fit
After the experiment

Conclusion 1. What happened in your experiment? In this experiment, there was 50% germination
2. Whether or not your hypothesis was of the seeds watered with salt water in the
supported, your answer should ALWAYS week and 90% germination of the seeds
include data from your experiment? watered with fresh water. No outlier was
3. Was there any outlier in your data? Are identified in the data set My hypothesis was not
the outliers removed in your analysis? supported as by the third day I had 50%
4. What is the relationship you found germination rate of my sunflower seeds in salt
between your variables? water, my hypothesis predicted 0% germination
5. Can you use science concepts and in salt water.
theories or laws to explain the
relationship found? The germination rate of the seeds was different
between the two types of water. I think that
once the seed shell softens, the seeds in salty
water became washed with salt which stopped
them germinating.

Validity and R= reliability and replication (trials, calculate an The data was not reliable as only one trial was
Reliability average). Are you getting similar values performed for each treatment. To improve, at
between your trials? What can you do to least three replicates need to be performed for
improve the reliability? each treatment and the average number of
geminated seeds can be calculated.
V= validitiy, was there an uncontrolled variable
that influenced the experiment. Was there The test was valid as the germination rates
something other than the independent variable differed between the two water treatments.
However, part way through the test, one of the
affecting the outcome of the experiment
plates was moved slightly and was in the shade
(dependent variable). Low validity experiments for 12 hours. This could affect the validity and
are often associated with poor experimental to improve, artificial lighting can be used for
design or measurement accuracy. What can you more consistency.
do to improve the validity?

Command terms - these terms will appear in labs, assignments and tests. This is their meaning and guide the type of
answer you should provide.
Describe Give a detailed account. List Give a sequence of names or other
brief answers with no explanation.

Explain Give a detailed account including reasons Label Add labels to a diagram.
or causes

Identify Find an answer from a given number of Justify Give valid reasons or evidence (e.g.
possibilities. data) to support an answer or
conclusion

Compare/ Give an account of similarities and Discuss Give an account including, where
Contrast differences between two (or more) items, possible, a range of arguments for and
referring to both (all) of them throughout against the relative importance of
various factors, or comparisons of
alternative hypotheses.

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Define Give the precise meaning of a word, Apply Use an idea, equation, principle,
phrase or physical quantity. theory or law in a new situation.