Experimental Design B/C

[piisamazing]

For Applications and Recommendations for Further Use, we always trip up at "Suggestions for other ways to look at hypothesis given", and "Suggestions for future experiments given"

I've always interpreted the latter to be other experiments we could do using the supplies provided, but what about the former? Or am I completely wrong about the latter, too? Any help would be appreciated

another faucet of applications that can be applied to suggestions for other ways to look at hypotheses is the practical applications stand point. you can change your hypotheses where it can apply to a real world situation. (as a funny note, one of the division b teams did their eqperiment involving putting a plastic bag over their heads to see how long they could strech it. their practical application was to become entertainers. i love 6th graders)

[BoldlyGoingNowhere]

I'm not sure how to delete messages....

I'm not entirely sure either, but I've got an idea. If it's your post, try clicking "Edit", erase the entire message, then click "Submit".

[EpicFailure]

What are some of the types of errors that are usually listed under Possible Experimental Errors? I have Random error (imprecise instruments), Mess-up error (faulty procedure), and Systematic error (faulty equipment). Is there any other type of error that usually occurs?

[zyzzyva980]

Human error (though it's covered in there by a combination of your imprecise instruments and faulty procedure)- we can't do anything right.

[bookworm2110]

What are some of the types of errors that are usually listed under Possible Experimental Errors? I have Random error (imprecise instruments), Mess-up error (faulty procedure), and Systematic error (faulty equipment). Is there any other type of error that usually occurs?

Ummm...do we actually have to label the error? We just start talking about everything that could have possibly gone wrong in one paragraph...

[EpicFailure]

What are some of the types of errors that are usually listed under Possible Experimental Errors? I have Random error (imprecise instruments), Mess-up error (faulty procedure), and Systematic error (faulty equipment). Is there any other type of error that usually occurs?

Ummm...do we actually have to label the error? We just start talking about everything that could have possibly gone wrong in one paragraph...

That's what we did for a couple of competitions, but I wanted to know the proper names, just in case the event supervisor requires them.

I have a couple more questions on the rubric.
1. For the condensed table, is a separate table needed? Or would just one table with the average & data for the trials work?
2. Also, the new rubric says "All data reported using correct figures" for Division B (and significant figures for Division C). What would be considered "correct" figures?
3. Under "Graph labeled properly (axes/series)", what do they mean by labeling the series of a graph?
4. What are some examples you would put under "Important info about data collection"?
5. For "Observations about results not directly relating to the DV", can we put small details like "the smaller rubber bands snapped fairly quick"?

Another question: What type of experiment would you design with materials like cups, straws, paper clips, popsicle sticks, spoons, pebbles, index cards, rubber bands, etc. that's under the topic of a "seesaw simple machine"? We thought of moving the fulcrum and then adding paper clips to find the proportion of weight that balances the seesaw. Would that work?

Thanks!

[butter side up]

1. For the condensed table, is a separate table needed? Or would just one table with the average & data for the trials work?
2. Also, the new rubric says "All data reported using correct figures" for Division B (and significant figures for Division C). What would be considered "correct" figures?
3. Under "Graph labeled properly (axes/series)", what do they mean by labeling the series of a graph?
4. What are some examples you would put under "Important info about data collection"?
5. For "Observations about results not directly relating to the DV", can we put small details like "the smaller rubber bands snapped fairly quick"?
Another question: What type of experiment would you design with materials like cups, straws, paper clips, popsicle sticks, spoons, pebbles, index cards, rubber bands, etc. that's under the topic of a "seesaw simple machine"? We thought of moving the fulcrum and then adding paper clips to find the proportion of weight that balances the seesaw. Would that work?
Thanks!

1. A separate table is needed. You can put it right next to the first data table, and it will just have the average for each trial level. It will be tiny, and will have data you have to calculate anyway in it. Also, REMEMBER TO LABEL YOUR CONDENSED DATA TABLE as "Condensed Data Table." In general, the more you label, the more likely it is to get noticed and have points awarded.
2.Your correct figures are the same as signifigant figures, as far as I can tell. I only competed in this once at B level, but I would consider it to be all measured digits plus your estimated digit.
3. The series, to be proper, is referring to your numbers along the axes. They should be chosen so the line takes up most of your graph, and the numbers should be spaced evenly. Also, if you start anywhere other than 0, you need to make a note about that.
4. That section is in the experimental errors section. That means that at least one of your sources of error needs to be about how you collected the data for your variables- for example, delayes with a stopwatch, something not moving in a straight line, the fact that you are measuring data that is
only visible for a fraction of a second (like a bouncing ball) would cause errors in measuring. When in doubt, all measuring has some inaccuracies.
5.That is an acceptable observation, depending on your experiment. The observations need to be something that was used in your experiment, but aren't one of the measured variables. Also, try and phrase it more scientifically. Such as, "the thinnest rubber band snapped when holding a small amount of mass."

That experiment would work as long as you are very specific as to which is your variables. Your IV is the location of the fulcrum, but is your DV the actual mass, or the proportion? That needs to be made abundantly clear.

[BoldlyGoingNowhere]

A few more questions:
When listing materials, are we supposed to include safety equipment?
How do we do the measure of variation? (just a brief summary would be nice)
We have regionals next Saturday- is there anything else you can tell me?
Thanks in advance!

[j98rp]

Can my parents watch me during this event, because I don't want them to have to go if they can't watch me do my event?

[BoldlyGoingNowhere]

Can my parents watch me during this event, because I don't want them to have to go if they can't watch me do my event?

There are actually very few events where they can watch you- mostly only building events. For most, if not all lab and study events, no spectators are allowed.