Experimental Design B/C

[Liv]

How many trials would you recommend? I remember that one year we had three different kinds of ketchup , and the first was so thick it took all of our time but around eight minutes for it to run down (we were too idiotic to shorten the distance it would travel). We only got one trial for each ketchup in. Now, our team generally does about 3-5 trials. Is this good, or should we do more? How many trials do you have per independent variable?

The recommended amount is 3 considering it allows you to see if something was a fluke or to see if the experiment allows repeatability. I wouldn't do 5 because you need to make sure you have time for everything else, and some experiments, take 10 to 15 minutes to do.

[quizbowl]

_____ Measure of central tendency
_____ Measure of variation
_____ Regression analysis
_____ Other appropriate statistic used

Can someone explain how to calculate these, and with a calculator that we can use?

[Quinjamincy]

My team went to the Northridge invitational in Indiana this weekend and we got knocked down to second tier because we used our own paper for ED. It said that the rules don't say we can bring our own paper, but we were only supplied printer paper. Is this a legitimate thing or did the event coordinater just take the rules too literally?

[packer-backer91]

My team went to the Northridge invitational in Indiana this weekend and we got knocked down to second tier because we used our own paper for ED. It said that the rules don't say we can bring our own paper, but we were only supplied printer paper. Is this a legitimate thing or did the event coordinater just take the rules too literally?

What was on your paper anyway [was it lined paper or was it was it prepared in a way that you have the sections preprinted on the paper?]. While harsh, the coordinator did have the right because you did not use the given materials, I no longer have a copy of the rules with me but from experience the only things aloud are: stop watch, ruler(s), writing implements, non-programmable/non graphing calculator and safety goggles. I would have to side with the judge on this one, you were supplied the material but deliberately used an outside material than everyone else.

My regionals that’s all they would give us was blank printer paper and we had to do everything on them, you should feel comfortable to use whatever is given no matter what they give you its generally understood that you should use there materials when given. When in you have a question if something you are doing is ok just ask the judge they will tell you, this way you dont ever get a lower teir again.

[tclme elmo]

I'd just use what the proctors give you, and if you need more, I'm sure they are more than happy to give you more if you just ask.
The only thing is sometimes they don't supply you graph paper for the graph, and I guess that just sucks.

[zyzzyva980]

In all the competitions I've been to recently they provide paper with all parts of the write-up listed with enough space to write in between. There should be no reason to bring your own paper.

[wertyu793]

Last invitational the challange was to make a magic rolling device. We came in 7th. For regionals last year they just let us make up our own experiment. state we had to make a rewnewable energy resource!

[Bubba1960]

Last invitational the challange was to make a magic rolling device. We came in 7th. For regionals last year they just let us make up our own experiment. state we had to make a rewnewable energy resource!

Whats a magic rolling device?

[lilolme]

Does anyone know what kind of items we will be given at regionals to complet our test?

[tclme elmo]

You really never know, it could be anything.