Experimental Design B/C

[illusionofconfusion]

We were given a coffee filter, a bowl, scissors, corn starch, salt, 3 cups, and a bottle of water. My partners and I were freaking out attempting to come up with an experiment before the event started. Then the event supervisor passed out a rubric. At the top, it said something like: "Using the materials provided, please complete one of the following experiments: A) Test the size of filter paper based on how long it stays afloat B) Test the amount of time it takes for filter paper to sink in regular filter water as opposed to salt water and corn-starch-ified water."

[EpicFailure]

Yeah, sometimes event supervisors do give out really narrow topics or maybe even the exact statement of problem.

[Phenylethylamine]

Yeah, sometimes event supervisors do give out really narrow topics or maybe even the exact statement of problem.

Which is always kind of depressing, because formulating the experiment is one thing that can sometimes separate the top teams (who really understand what makes a good dependent and independent variable) from the rest (who can make mistakes like incorrectly stating the variable they're actually measuring – e.g., saying they're measuring speed when they're actually measuring time in order to make a conclusion about speed – or choosing an independent variable that doesn't actually affect the dependent variable, or trying to make an unnecessarily difficult measurement – e.g., how high a ball bounces, rather than how far it rolls), depending on the topic.

[butter side up]

At state, our supervisor gave us a choice between two very specific experiments. Is it normal for participants to not have to create their own experiment?

Yeah, this can really vary based on the supervisor. I have seen this with a couple, but it is not at all typical. However, I can tell you (from personal experience) that if they give you something that specific, then you should follow it very closely, or else you may risk getting Tier-two'd.

[mnstrviola]

Doing this event for states. So I read the wiki and the past posts, and I was wondering. I have one partner who won't know anything to do in time for states and another with a decent knowledge about the basics of experimental design. What would be the best way to split up the work at competition? I think it would be best for me to do most/all of the writing and for my partners to conduct the experiment but that may not be the best idea. What strategy are you guys using to be time efficient with the experiment?


Another question: has anyone thought of/seen people doing human experiments? Like, testing factors of memorization using one of the teamates.

[EpicFailure]

The National exam last year was a human experiment. The topic was "heartbeat". Our experiment was # of heartbeats/minute vs. amount of time spent jogging in place. One thing about human experiments is that it's not clear what we should write under materials. I remember at the competition we wrote "a 13-year-old female experimenter" (and stopwatch, pencil, paper etc).

I think the best way is the have the partner that won't be prepared in time for State to do steps 7-10 and the experiment. The worse of you and the other partner should write steps 1-6 (which is basic technical writing) while the better of you two should help with the experiment and then write steps 11-14.

[mnstrviola]

Okay, but what do you mean by "steps"?

EDIT: do you mean based on the rubric?
http://soinc.org/sites/default/files/up ... 9-12v2.pdf
If so, I don't think it makes sense for the person to have no idea what he's doing to do the data and graphs.

[EpicFailure]

Yes, I meant the steps of the rubric. (the one we memorized [2011] had numbers instead of letters)

In my opinion, the data table & graphs are the easiest parts and easy to learn since there's a specific format you can follow. Also, they're commonly used in middle school science & math so maybe he/she has some experience with them?

[Phenylethylamine]

The National exam last year was a human experiment. The topic was "heartbeat". Our experiment was # of heartbeats/minute vs. amount of time spent jogging in place. One thing about human experiments is that it's not clear what we should write under materials. I remember at the competition we wrote "a 13-year-old female experimenter" (and stopwatch, pencil, paper etc).

I think the best way is the have the partner that won't be prepared in time for State to do steps 7-10 and the experiment. The worse of you and the other partner should write steps 1-6 (which is basic technical writing) while the better of you two should help with the experiment and then write steps 11-14.

Have the unprepared partner do the data collection, but not necessarily the graphs. Whoever's doing the beginning part (the problem statement, etc – all fairly basic and usually relatively quick unless you're being incredibly OCD about it) should be done in time to do the graphs (possibly with the help of the inexperienced partner to make it go a bit faster). The best partner should definitely be doing the copious amounts of writing at the end.

Yes, I meant the steps of the rubric. (the one we memorized [2011] had numbers instead of letters)

In my opinion, the data table & graphs are the easiest parts and easy to learn since there's a specific format you can follow. Also, they're commonly used in middle school science & math so maybe he/she has some experience with them?

Someone unfamiliar with the concept of experimental design might be more comfortable executing the experiment and writing down the individual data points than doing any data analysis (mean, median, range, and a graph are pretty simple as data analysis goes, but once you get into regression and so on...).

[mnstrviola]

Alright, I think I get what you guys are saying. During the first part, the person with experience should be writing up the hypothesis, problem, thesis, etc. (the stuff before the data) while the other two are conducting the experiment. Then, the less experienced one should be recording the data on the graph while the other two are interpreting it and finding the results and conclusion. Is that right?