Experimental Design Diagram

Title: The effect of the Independent Variable (IV) on the Dependent Variable (DV).

Hypothesis: Relate what you think will occur to the DV as you change the level of IV (e.g., If the IV does
this, then the DV will do this. Your educated guess as to the outcome of the experiment).

Independent Variable: Name the variable that you purposefully change during the experiment;
include units. The levels of IV in the columns below.
These boxes
are for the
levels of the
IV
Repeated Trials: How many data sets were collected; how many times was the experiment done?

Control: Note the experimental group used for comparison purposes.

Dependent Variable: Name the variable that responds to changes in the IV; include units.

Constants: List everything that was kept the same in the experiment. Remember-only the level of IV
should change.

Experimental Design Diagram Example

Title: The effect of study time on a test grade

Hypothesis: If a student studies for a longer time then their test grade will be higher.

Independent Variable: Time in minutes spent studying

Control
0 15 30 45 60

Repeated Trials: 5 tests

Control: Test grade with 0 study time

Dependent Variable: Test grade

Constants: Place of study, light in room, temperature of room, same snacks

 Experimental Design Diagram

Title:

Hypothesis:

Independent Variable:

Control

Repeated Trials:

Control:

Dependent Variable:

Constants:

APES Experimental Design Lab

ƒ Design an experiment to determine the pH at which seed germination is negatively impacted.

ƒ Construct a workable hypothesis.
ƒ Perform your experiment to test your hypothesis, which includes a control, a dependent variable,
and an independent variable.
ƒ After allowing 1 week for the seeds to germinate you will write a formal lab report which must be
word processed. Graphs may be done by hand. Remember to include a title, problem, hypothesis,
procedures, results, analysis of data, and a conclusion.

Equipment:
Each lab group will be provided with the following:
ƒ 4 baggies
ƒ paper towels
ƒ seeds
ƒ graduated cylinder
ƒ beaker
ƒ vinegar
ƒ pH paper
Note: to germinate the seeds need to placed inside the folds of 1 moistened paper towel in a sealed baggie
 Salinization Lab

Purpose:
To involve students in a real world scientific investigation in which they design an experiment to determine how
the concentration of salt in water affects the germination rate of seeds.

Background information:
Salt buildup is a potential problem on almost all of the irrigated farmland in the United States. Much of the world's
unused land is in arid or semiarid regions where irrigation would be necessary to grow crops. A small amount of
salt in the soil will not affect the germination and growth of crops. Eventually, however, if salt concentrations
increase, negative impacts occur. Eventually salt concentrations will affect the germination of seeds. Farmers need
to know the relationship between the salt concentration and the percent of seeds that will germinate.
Salt kills germinating seedlings by removing the H2O from their cells. There are several salts that are
responsible but this lab will involve only one, sodium chloride (NaCl). From your results you can assume that other
salt concentrations would also affect germination rate. NaCl has a solubility of 35.7g/100 mL of H2O. Ocean water
has a concentration of 3.5% which is 3.5g/100 mL of H2O. Freshwater has a concentration of 0.005% salt which is
0.005g/100 mL of H2O.

Problem
You and your partners will act as a team of consultants hired by a group of farmers who are concerned about how
increasing salt concentrations in their soil will affect their crops. Design a controlled experiment to measure how
increasing salt concentrations interfere with the germination of crop seeds.

Procedure:
1. The “problem” has been identified. From this you should be able to formulate a hypothesis.
2. You must now identify your independent and dependent variables. To do this, make a question: What is the
effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable? This will tell you, not only the variables but also
which variable to put on each axis of the graph. * Remember, the x-axis is the horizontal axis and always is the
independent variable. The y-axis is the vertical axis and is the dependent variable.
3. Decide what you will use as a control. You will also need to identify the constants in the experiment.
4. Design a data table to record your data.
5. Label each pot with group names and the solution in each. When adding water be sure to add the correct
solution. Water only as needed. Don’t drown your plants.
6. Be sure and keep accurate data tables and check on your experiment daily. When the experiment is completed
turn in a lab report including a data table and graph. Be sure to do an analysis of the data and a conclusion.

Materials:
Small pots and potting soil
Dilutions of salt concentrations
Graduated cylinders, beakers
Assorted seeds

Analysis (answer as part of the conclusion):

1. Does there seem to be a relationship between the number of seeds which germinated and the concentration of
the salt water? If so, what is that relationship?
2. Does there seem to be a relationship between the % that germinated and the concentration of the salt water? If
so, what?
3. Did your experiment support your hypothesis?
4. Can you think of any errors that might have occurred that would invalidate your experiment? If so what were
they and how might they be corrected?
5. Explain why increasing levels of salt concentrations affect seed growth and why irrigation seems to be the main
cause of this. (Use your textbook, if necessary)
6. Do you think all seeds would be affected in similar ways as the ones you used?
7. When soil becomes too salty, what are some methods of remediation?

Note: use concentrations of 0%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%

g/NaCl/1000mL: 0g, 0.1g, 1g, 5g, 10g, 20g, 30g, 40g

Glow Stick lab

This lab works well for grades 7-9 to introduce experimental design.

Problem: What is the relationship between temperature and the amount of light given off from a glow
stick?

Materials:
Glow Sticks
Thermometer
Ice water
Hot plate or microwave (for 45o C hot water)
Ruler
3 beakers

1. Write a hypothesis for the problem

2. Setup an experiment to test the hypothesis using the materials supplied. Do not let the hot water go
above 45oC.
3. Devise a data table to record your results. Include water temperature in the data table.
4. Write a conclusion that relates to the hypothesis.
5. Answer:
• What was the purpose of the room temp beaker?
• What is the dependent variable? The independent variable?
• These glow sticks have been advertised for use as fishing lures. The ad explains how
the stick will glow in water and attract fish. Many of the rivers commonly fished in are
between 2oC – 6oC. Will the glow stick be an effective lure in water this cold?
Explain.