Lab Reports:

Information Questions vs.

Research Questions

 Information question:
Broad spectrum of information
One research project cannot answer an
information question
Ex: How do birds fly?
Information Questions vs.
Research Questions

 Research question:
Guide scientific research
Set up a specific comparison
Ex: Do birds fly faster on sunny days or
rainy days?
Information Questions vs.
Research Questions

 Information questions:
Usually start with “why”, “how”, or “what”

 Research questions:
Usually begin with “do”, “are”, “is”

*There are exceptions, but this is a starting

point
Hypothesis vs. Null Hypothesis
 Both are testable predictions

 There are many ways to formulate

hypothesis

 This method benefits statistical analysis

Hypothesis vs. Null Hypothesis
 Null hypothesis (Ho):
States that there is NO difference between
the 2 things being compared in the RQ
 Alternative hypothesis (H1):
States that there IS a difference between
the 2 things being compared in the RQ

*Together H0 and H1 account for all

possible outcomes
Hypothesis vs. Null Hypothesis
 Example: Do birds fly faster on sunny or
rainy days?

 Null hypothesis: There is no difference

in flight speed on sunny or rainy days

 Alternative hypothesis: There is a

difference in flight speed on sunny and
rainy days
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Observations:
 Quantitative observation:
A measurement of something; the quantity of an
object
Ex: the leaf has 34 veins; the chair weighs 50Kg

 Qualitative observation:
A description of something; the qualities of an
object
Ex: a leaf is green; a chair is hard
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Observations:

 Quantitative observations tend to be

more objective, precise, and easy to
compare (most of the time, but not
always!)
 Qualitative observations help us to
remember conditions or observations
that took place in the lab
Introduction Paragraph:
 1st sentence:
General statement about your topic
 2nd-5th sentences:
Background information about your topic
that relates to your research question
 Last sentence:
Your “do”, “is”, “are” research question
Introduction Paragraph:
 Let’s practice…