Experimental design
A. What is the scientific method?The scientific method is a process to test, observe, and produce results for the questions scientists have come to ask, this method allows them to test their hypothesis, observe their experiments to test the hypothesis, and document their results even if it disproves their hypothesis.
B. Reference LinksImages: http://mrjamsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/5651708.gif
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C. Steps to the scientific method1.Ask a question that would require study or testing.
2.Formulate a hypothesis from your question and begin to think more on it. 3.Create and use an experiment to test you hypothesis 4.Keep on testing about 3-5 times afterwards (test until you're satisfied with the results). 5.Document and record your results, afterwards your hypothesis should be answered. D. Practicing the scientific methodWe explored our topic and hypothesis a little, 1) then we graphed our preliminary results, 2) afterwards we listed down the three most possible variables in the experiment, 3) we then developed a simple hypothesis that states apples that are exposed to more sunlight will grow faster than apples that receive a natural amount of sunlight, 4-5) next we created a controlled experiment to compare against the experimental group, 6) finally we predicted that the apples will only have a 1-2 day difference from the other apples.
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E. Experimental data I was given data to make a graph, below. I used a Google spreadsheet to create a graph and I saved my image file to upload here. My graph demonstrates an inverse relationship between the concentration of ethylene and the maturation rate because it was observed that as the concentration increases, the time it takes for the plants to mature decreases. This is be due to the effects of ethylene which is known to be released by plants naturally which causes plants to mature and ripen, so if you gave it an early dose, it would mature the apples faster.
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F. VariablesThe following are potential variables to the experiment.
a:Weather, there may be excess rainfall, sunlight, or storms either way it can affect the experimental group. b:The temperature of the area the experiment will affect the apples' growth whether it is to hot or cold. c:Sunlight, it can improve the growth of the apples or it can cause the plants to wither from a drought. G. hypothesisIf all three types of apples were exposed to excess sunlight, then the apples that had more sun would grow faster because sunlight is not only key to plant growth but may also in some cases improve growth rate. If everything works, the trees should see a an improvement in growth by a few days.
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h. Control GroupsThe control group for my experiment is three different types of apples (Winesap, Golden, Gala, etc.) planted into their own individual and ideal environments, as well as be exposed to normal amounts of sunlight as well as be watered normally.
There will be three different areas, each one a specific group of apples, one Golden, one Winesap, and one Gala group will each be measured in growth rate in comparison to the apples in the experimental group. |
I. Experimental Design1. Take three different types of apple seeds and plant them in one environment.
2. Take another set of seeds of the same types of apples in their own individual, secluded, ideal environments. 3. As the seeds grow, expose the set that were planted all in the same area to more sunlight than the set that are planted in their own environments. 4. Watch carefully for any variation in the plants' growth and measure it by days. 5. Document your results and compare growth of experimental group to the growth of control group. 6. Repeat test if desired for more accurate results. |
J. Expected Results
I expect the growth rate of the apples to improve by no more than 1-2 days against the growth rate of the control group, despite the control groups being in their own ideal areas. Sunlight can have a very positive effect if plants are exposed to it in reasonable amounts of time so as to improve growth but also to prevent drying up all the water that the plant needs to survive.