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Understanding Experimental Concepts

Variables: 1. Independent Variable (I.V.) – The variable that is changed or “Manipulated” by the person running the experiment. *What “I” the experimenter change about each group or trial that I am running. Understanding Experimental Concepts.

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Understanding Experimental Concepts

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  1. Variables: 1. Independent Variable (I.V.) – The variable that is changed or “Manipulated” by the person running the experiment. *What “I” the experimenter change about each group or trial that I am running. Understanding Experimental Concepts Example: If a scientist wanted to see which type of fruit a gorilla liked the best. * He would have to change or manipulate the different fruits to offer the gorilla, thus making the independent variable  “the different fruits offered”

  2. Dependent Variable (D.V.) = the variable that changes as a result of the changes made to the I.V. • Simpler put the “Outcome or Results you are looking For” •  Usually something that can be “Measured” Same Example: If a scientist wanted to see which type of fruit a gorilla liked the best. * The Outcome, Result or Measurement would be how much of each fruit the gorilla ate (Indicating His Favorite), thus making the dependent variable  “How much of each fruit the gorilla ate each day”

  3. Data Tables, Graphs & Variable Locations: Graph: Data Table: I.V. is always on the X –Axis! D.V. is the columns to the right of the I.V. & the D.V. is located on the Y- Axis in a graph! I.V. is most often the 1st Column.

  4. Control Groups & Factors that are Kept the Same in an Experiment: • Control Group: The Group used for comparison in an experiment, the one not changed by the experimenter. • Example: A doctor tested the effectiveness of pain killers on a patient that was in chronic pain. The doctor gave the patient a “placebo,” sugar pill the first day, Tylenol the second day, and Advil the third day. He rated the patients level of pain on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst). Each day the patient was told to rest on the couch, eat 3 meals and watch only Oprah, Sportscenter or the Food Network. • What is the Control Group in this experiment? • 1st – Find the I.V. = The different Pain killers offered 2nd – Find the Group, Trial or Part of the I.V. that is not changed and can be used for comparison = “Placebo” Sugar Pill – It is not a Pain Killer!

  5. Factors that are kept the same in an Experiment: • * Each “Controlled Experiment” will always have one thing change (I.V.) and the rest of the factors in the experiment stay the same for each group being tested. • Same Example: A doctor tested the effectiveness of pain killers on a patient that was in chronic pain. The doctor gave the patient a “placebo,” sugar pill the first day, Tylenol the second day, and Advil the third day. He rated the patients level of pain on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst). Each day the patient was told to rest on the couch, eat 3 meals and watch only Oprah, Sportscenter or the Food Network. * What factors in this experiment are kept the same for the patient? Each day the patient was told to rest on the couch, eat 3 meals and watch only Oprah, Sportscenteror the Food Network.

  6. Data & Drawing Conclusions: • Data can be represented in 2 ways: • Quantitative: Numbers, Measures, Values • Ex. 120 rabbits • Qualitative: Descriptionsor listed characteristics • Ex. The rabbits were white and brown • Conclusions: Statements drawn after analyzing your data. • * Must be “Supported” with actual data! Using this data table what would be a good conclusion supported with data? Conclusion = The Gorillas favorite fruit must be bananas because he ate 15 bananas compared to 8 oranges & 5 apples in a day.

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