Science Practical Notes

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DRAWING LINE GRAPHS

Line graphs are the most

common type of graph you draw in Science. They are used when presenting

continuous data where two variables are used.

An appropriate line graph

should:

·

be drawn using a sharp pencil

·

have a clear and descriptive title

·

display the independent variable on the x-axis (the variable the

experimenter purposely changes in an experiment)

·

display the dependent variable on the y-axis (the variable which changes

in response to changes in the independent variable)

·

have axes with a clearly-marked, even scale that increases with even

increments

·

always have the vertex representing (0,0)

·

have a scale which allows the range of

data displayed to extend over more than half the grid in both directions (if the data is spread over a small range this

can be done by starting at zero at the vertex, using a hash or a zig-zag, then

starting with a value close to that of your smallest value)

·

have axes labelled with the appropriate quantity

·

have axes labelled with the appropriate units

·

have accurately plotted points drawn as neat, small crosses

·

a line or curve of best fit is required to represent a trend (unless

told to not join the centre of each cross)

·

have a clear key if more than one line is shown on a graph using

different lines (not points) for

different data sets

AN EXAMPLE OF A GRAPH

NB.

The points in the graph above should be drawn as crosses!

Using

the graph to predict results:

1.

Interpolation

eg. using the graph predict how many days

it would take for the seedling to reach a height of 15 cm. Two lines must be

drawn on the graph as shown below.( a line from 15 cm on the y axis until it

hits the graph and then a line down to the x axis which will give the expected

number of days which is about 3.7 days).

2.

Extrapolation

eg.

using the graph predict how high the seedling would be after 5.2 days. The line

on the graph must be extended as shown and then two lines must be drawn on the

graph as shown below (a line from 5.2 days on the x axis until it hits the

graph and then a line across to the y axis which will give the expected height

which is about 27 cm).

Validity and reliability are

terms that are applied to both first-hand and second-hand investigations. You

should refer to each of the following aspects of an investigation if you are

asked to evaluate its validity and reliability

VALIDITY

Validity

describes how sound a process is.

Validity for 1st

hand investigation depends on making sure it is a fair test. The following

points are important:

·

controlling relevant variables

(only the independent variables should change)

·

using the most appropriate

equipment

·

using a suitable range of

independent variables to ensure the aim is tested.

Validity for 2nd

hand investigations depends on:

·

whether the information relates

to the problem or hypothesis being investigated

RELIABILTY

Reliability describes

how likely the same information/results will be found by others.

Reliability for

1st hand investigations is determined by repeating the experiment and averaging

of consistent results (identifying and eliminating outliers).

Reliability for

2nd hand investigations depends on

·

credentials of author/s

·

type of publication (e.g.:

.government, .edu better than .com and books generally gone through a more

stringent editing process)

·

date of publication (i.e.:

currency of information)

ACCURACY

Accuracy for 1st

hand investigations depends on the design of the experiment (i.e. the validity

of the method) and the sensitivity of the instruments used.

Accuracy for 2nd

hand investigations depends on whether the same/similar info can be found in

other VALID sources.

If you are asked

to evaluate the validity of either a first hand or second hand investigation,

you are expected to look at individual criteria and give an overall assessment.

Please do NOT confuse reliability with validity but DO recognise that both reliability

and validity increase the ACCURACY of the investigation.

VALIDITY, RELIABILITY & ACCURACY

WRITING A SCIENTIFIC METHOD

EXAMPLE: “An electronic balance was used to record the mass of one

teaspoon of sodium chloride, in grams, correct to two decimal places”

OR

“The mass of one teaspoon of sodium chloride was recorded, using an electronic

balance, in grams, correct to two decimal places”

A procedural

recount should be written impersonally. You

should not use terms such as I and we.

EXAMPLE: “Water

was poured to the beaker”

NOT

“I poured water into the

beaker” or “Poured water into the beaker”

E.

Drawing a scientific diagram.

To draw an appropriate scientific diagram you should:

Ø use a sharp pencil

Ø use a ruler

Ø draw using unbroken lines

Ø draw it in 2D

Ø make sure the diagram is an appropriate size (approximately 1/3 of a

page)

Ø label each piece of equipment

Ø draw each piece of equipment in proportion

Ø draw the equipment as it is set up, not separately

Ø not include equipment such as electronic balances

F.

Presenting your results.

The results you record should be observations only. No inferences

should be made.

Ø If you are collecting numerical data, use a table to present your results (following the SCEGGS guidelines).

Ø If your collected data allows it, a graph should be plotted (following the SCEGGS guidelines).

Ø If no numerical data was collected, then write out your observations

as clearly as possible (a table might still be appropriate here).

G. Include

a discussion.

A discussion

explains your experiment to another person. It should include:

Ø an explanation of your

results.

Ø the identification of errors

in your experiment.

Ø an assessment of the reliability

of the experiment (repeat and average).

Ø an assessment of the validity

of the experiment (comment on; how well the variables are controlled, if

the most appropriate equipment was used, if there was a suitable range of

measurements).

Ø any suggestions of improvements

that could be made to increase the accuracy of the experiment.

H. Writing a conclusion.

The conclusion should be one

sentence that answers the aim specifically. It should be a general statement

that does not include any results or personal pronouns.

EXAMPLE: As the temperature

of the water increased, the time taken for the sugar to dissolve decreased.

A.

Give your report a descriptive

title.

B.

Include an aim.

Ø Start your aim with the words To

investigate, To determine or To observe.

Ø The aim should include both variables that you are investigating.

Ø Your dependant variable is usually written first, the independent

variable written second.

EXAMPLE:

To investigate the

relationship between plant height and the mass of fertiliser added to the soil.

dependent variable independent vaiable

C.

Include an equipment list.

D.

Writing a detailed and concise method.

A method should be written such that anyone who reads it could carry

out the experiment without difficulty. A method should also mention how each

aspect of the experiment is controlled.

1.

Use numbered steps (to be

clear, use one numbered step for each action carried out)

2.

Do not omit any steps carried

out in your method or write them out of order, but keep each step brief and to

the point.

3.

Name all equipment used in each

step.

4.

Mention exact quantities of

measurements taken and the units used.

5.

If possible, record how accurately

you took your measurements (ie “…to two decimal places”, or “…to the nearest

mm”).

6.

For reliability, each set of

results should be repeated at least 3 times and then averaged, to reduce

inconsistent readings.

EXAMPLE:

Using an electronic balance, record the mass of one

teaspoon of sodium chloride, in grams,

equitmant used exact quantity used units used

correct to two decimal places.

accuracy of equipment

A method can be

written in two ways, depending on when you conduct the experiment. If you are

simply planning a method (or writing it before you carry it out) then it can be

written as a series of steps in the present tense such as:

EXAMPLE: “Using an electronic

balance, record the mass of one teaspoon of sodium chloride, in grams, correct

to two decimal places”.

However, if you

are writing a scientific report AFTER you have carried out an experiment, then

it is known as a procedural recount.

A procedural recount should be written in past tense.

CONSTRUCTING TABLES

1. All tables should have a title (heading) that tells the

person analysing the table what information is contained in the table.

2. A border surrounds the entire table. All lines in the table

must be ruled with a ruler.

3. The table should be written in pencil, so that changes can

be erased. Planning the format of the table may assist is reducing mistakes.

4. Each

column must have a heading. This will be the top cell in each column.

5. If a column contains measurements, the units of the

measurement should be placed in the column heading (within brackets). The unit

should NOT be repeated in each cell underneath the heading.

For example: If the temperature of water

was measured each minute, the column heading would be: “Temperature (0C)”.

A ROW OF A TABLE

6. Observations

and/or data in each column should be aligned.

7. A zero should only be included when a measurement of zero

was obtained; a dash should be used when no reading was recorded.

8. Identical

results should be written again-not shown with ‘ditto marks’.

9. It is often appropriate and useful to show data for each

trial along with average values. Subtotals, totals and/or percentages can be

included.

AN EXAMPLE OF A

TABLE

A COLUMN OF A TABLE

BREED

OF DOG

MASS

(kg)

HEIGHT

(cm)

Labrador

35

43

Great Dane

80

75

cell of a table

TABULATION GUIDELINES

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Graph Tips

VALIDITY, RELIABILITY & ACCURACY

WRITING A SCIENTIFIC METHOD

TABULATION GUIDELINES

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