RESEARCH II

• Log Book is a record of an experiment kept in a composition notebook

• Everything written in the logbook stays, as composition notebooks do not have tear-out pages

• What should be included in the Log Book:

  1. All your research prior to choosing your project (books, websites, other sources)

  2. Proposal with labeled sections

     (problem form of question, hypothesis if…then statement, independent variable, control variable, dependent variable)

     List of all materials used in the experiment (may change slightly from the original proposal)

     Steps/procedures followed for the experiment

     Drawings or illustrations of the experimental design and work in progress

  3. Data record everything that happens in the experiment neatly

     Use a ruler to make neat data charts

     Date all entries

     Include photos and drawings if they help show what has occurred

     Record problems encountered and plans to solve them

     Research possible solutions and try new plans if necessary

     Include questions and ideas for further experiments or questions for the teacher

  4. Explain the reasons for choosing the topic and what interests you about it

  Log Book will be graded based on the inclusion of the above criteria

• Log Book pointers:

  • Write the logbook in a notebook

  • Make an entry every time you work on the project

  • Date each entry

  • Make notes in point form

  • Organize the logbook into sections (schedule, daily notes and ideas, background research, contacts and references, experimental procedure/method, data collection sheets, observations/results in tables and graphs, conclusions)

  • Describe things in enough detail for others to understand and repeat the experiment

  • Create the logbook as you go, not after finishing the project

• The text on the backboard/tri-fold is a summary of the logbook, which contains more information

• Log Book content:

  • Timetable for each step of the project

  • Choose a topic: make a list of interest and explain how the topic was chosen

  • Record of background research from various sources

  • Testable question/purpose based on background research

  • Hypothesis based on research

  • Detailed list of materials needed for the experiment

  • Procedures, list of steps to be followed in the experiment

  • Variables: Identification of controlled, manipulated, and responding variables

  • Results: Recording of measurements/raw data collected

  • Presentation of collected data in charts, tables, graphs, pictures

  • Conclusions and whether the hypothesis was correct

  • Recommendations/Applications for improving the project and further study

• The data collected can be first-hand or from secondary sources

• First-hand data is obtained through investigations and measurements

• Logbook should show collected information from secondary sources with accurate references

• Plans for collecting and recording observations of first-hand data should be included

• Identification of independent, dependent, and controlled variables

• Organization of materials needed for the research

• Secondary sources of information include libraries, international organizations, the Internet, institutions, and people, comes from other people’s research

• Consult a variety of sources for comprehensive information

• Libraries offer a wide range of resources such as books, magazines, journals, audiotapes, CD-ROMs, databases, newspapers, and videos

• Talk to a librarian for guidance in finding relevant resources

• Organizations and institutions can provide advice and information

• Talking with people can be valuable as they may have knowledge or know where to find information

• The Internet is a rich source of information, but searches should be focused using keywords

• Making first-hand observations is important for gathering accurate data

• Qualitative observations are descriptive and can be recorded through drawings, diagrams, photographs, recordings, or written descriptions

• Observations should reflect what is actually observed, not interpretations

• Photographs can be used to record observations, especially for color changes or comparisons

• Decide if photographs are necessary for the investigation and describe the reasoning in the logbook

• Quantitative data is information recorded as numbers

• It involves counting and/or taking measurements during research

• Data can be recorded in a series of steps

• Raw data refers to the actual measurements made

• It should be jotted down in a logbook

• Data can be unstructured or recorded in a planned format, such as a table

• Presented data may be raw data that has been changed or shown in a different form

• Common ways to present data include tables, graphs, computer spreadsheets, or databases

• Tables are often used to record data from quantitative observations

• Trends in the data can be easily seen in a table

• Tables can include calculations such as totals, averages, and percentages

• Example of a simple table: Distance travelled over time

• When creating a table for an investigation, the independent and dependent variables are recorded

• The independent variable is usually placed in the first column and the dependent variable in the second column

• Variables:

• Controlled experiments aim to keep most variables constant, except for the one being tested (independent variable)

• The independent variable is the one that is intentionally changed or manipulated

• There is at least one variable in the experiment that is not kept constant, known as the independent variable

• The independent variable is the one that is planned to be changed in an experiment

• It is also known as the manipulated variable

• It is a good idea to use only one independent variable in any experiment

• The independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable, which is measured

• When one variable is changed in an experiment, another variable may change in response

• This variable is called the dependent variable or the responding variable

• The dependent variable can only be sure to change due to the independent variable if all other variables are controlled

• Controlled variables are kept constant throughout the experiment

• They are variables that need to be controlled to ensure accurate results

• If these variables are not controlled, they may affect the outcome of the experiment

• A controlled experiment has a control, which is used as a standard for comparison

• In a scientific report, measurements of the independent variable are usually placed in the first column, and the dependent variable in the second column

• This is also important when constructing a scientific graph

• Repeating the procedure of an investigation increases the reliability of the data

• Trials should be repeated to ensure consistency in the results

• If the results are consistent, they are likely reliable

• If the results are different, more trials should be conducted or the experiment design should be evaluated

• In some investigations, it is not possible to repeat the test due to destructive testing