Science Investigations - Tips and Tricks

• Aim: the purpose of the investigation 

• Hypothesis: Predict what will happen in your experiments. Explain why you think your prediction is right. (do make this scientific)

• Equipment: a list of what you need. 

• Method: A simple, workable plan of what you will do – and can be repeated by another person. Usually written as a numbered list. You should list the variables which are important in this investigation 

  1. "independent variable" (the one you are testing) 

  2. "dependent variable" (the one you are measuring) 

  3. "controlled variables" (all the other variables must be kept constant so that it is a ‘fair test’) 

Techniques used to increase accuracy (closer to actual value). Can include reducing parallax error, reducing ‘zero’ error, suitable units of measurement. Techniques use to increase reliability (consistently getting the same result) Achieved by doing multiple tests then averaging the result. Your instructions should be clear enough for another pupil to do the experiment. 

• Results: a table of the measurements you have taken with any processed data (i.e averages).  Graphs (SALTy - Scale, Axes, Labels, Title) possibly including a line of best fit with gradient (rise ÷ run) calculated

• Conclusion: what your results tell you linked back to the aim and hypothesis. State whether your hypothesis (prediction) was proved or disproved.

• Discusion: Write down any improvements which you can think of. Say how reliable your experiment was by quoting a set of results. Say how accurate your experiment was  (zero error, parallax error reduction, scale selection, reduce reaction time) Discussing the relevant scientific principle (e.g. energy transformation, friction, forces)