Experiment guide for Middle School Science students. - For additional resources visit: http://www.iheartscience.net

1. Experiment Guide
Sarah Jones
Source: fabianoefner.com

2. Laboratory Report
Title
Aim
Hypothesis
Materials
Method
Results
Discussion
Conclusion

3. Variables
Independent Variable –
What I will change.
Dependent Variable –
What I will measure.
Control – What I will
keep the same.

4. Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a statement that describes a
relationship between two or more variables
that can be tested.
http://www.k12tlc.net/quests/science/forcestd.htm

5. If the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE is CHANGED,
then SOMETHING HAPPENS to the
DEPENDENT VARIABLE.
Example: If the height of the ramp is
increased then there is an increase in the
distance the car travels.

6. Results

7. Independent Variable
DependentVariable

8. Observations
Qualitative
Written descriptions
Drawings
Photographs
Taped interviews

9. Quantitative
Raw data
Presented data

10. Discussion
The discussion has three sections.
1. Summary
2. Analysis
3. Evaluation

11. Summary:
Write an overview of what was done and
what happened.
Refer to specific results e.g. the average
distance was 43.9 cm

12. Analysis:
Were the results expected?
Write about why you think these results
were obtained.
Use your scientific knowledge and
further scientific evidence to explain your
results.
Refer to specific results and tends in your
tables, graphs and diagrams.

13. Evaluation:
What were the variables in this
experiment.
Which variable was changed?
Was the experiment a fair test?
Comment on any possible errors in
the experiment.
In what way could the experiment be
improved?

14. Conclusion
Restate the hypothesis.
Did the results support or refute the
hypothesis?
How did the results show this?