Energy and Transformation I

Core Activity First Delivery

Research Question: Why do objects float?

Design an experiment with two variables to answer the research question. Write a report with the
following structure.

Introduction. Investigate the theory and equation for this phenomenon.

 Background
Provide the reader scientific theory that is required to understand your experiment. Start
with the broader concepts and finish by focusing in on the theory that is specific to your
report.
 Hypothesis
1) How can you write your hypothesis such that it includes only two variables, where one
of them represents a cause and the other one refers to an effect, in an affirmative manner?
2) Why do you think that it is clear which of your variables is the independent one
(cause) and which is the dependent one (effect), such that there is no possibility of
exchanging them?
3) Why is your hypothesis a possible answer to your research question? Does your
hypothesis relate directly to your research objectives?
Method. Prepare an experiment that allows you to take numerical measurements of the two
variables that you selected to establish your hypothesis. You should write the method in a clear
way so that readers are able to repeat the experiment and get similar results.
 State the variables: independent variable (change only one variable at a time), dependent
variables and controlled variables.
 List the materials, describe the steps, draw diagrams, include figures.
Results. Document the results of your experiment.
 Ensure the reliability of the results by repeating the experiment 3 to 5 times.
 Use tables to record your results, include appropriate units in the header. Data is also
often plotted on a graph.
  If your results require calculations, clearly write each step using the equation editor.
Discussion. The discussion is where you analyze and interpret your results and identify any
experimental errors or possible areas of improvement.
 Restate your aim and your hypothesis, summarize what your experiment was about and
the most important findings.
 Explain how your results relate to expectations and to literature cited in your
Introduction. If your results contradict what you hypothesized, try to explain why. Use
data in your explanations.
 Describe the relationship you observed between your independent and dependent
variables.
 Identify the limitations and any errors or risks in the experiment and provide a method to
improve it.

Evaluation Rubric

Criteria Weight
Background information provides context to the experiment. 10
The equation of the phenomenon is described with theoretical support. 5
Defines the research question. The objectives include the what and the why.
5
Purpose is described clearly.
Establishes a hypothesis that states the cause-effect relationship between the
dependent and independent variables, using the correct mathematical notation 10
and format.
Correctly identifies and describes the independent and dependent variables.
Explains the way in which the dependent variable is affected by changes in the 10
independent variable, and not the other way around.
Explains the controlled variables and states the control mechanisms. 5
Materials and instruments for data collection are listed. Describes the
5
characteristics of all the materials and instruments to be used in the project.
Describes the actions that will be taken to answer the research question. 5
Research design is described appropriately step-by-step. Selection and
 implementation of data collection methods are appropriate and fully justified.
Implementation of data collection methods include repeated trials and
5
considers uncertainty.
Data is organized in tables and/or figures with APA format. Includes units for 5
measurements.
Provides clear and concise explanations for each table and/or figure. 5
Results reported fully answer the research question. Conclusions refer to the
5
hypothesis, major findings are discussed in relation to the literature.
Limitations and future directions are clearly stated. 5

Reference list is presented in alphabetical order with hanging indentation. 5

Every reference has an in-text citation with correct APA format. 10
Entire document is computer-written. 5

APA FORMAT

In-text Citation

Cite the work of those individuals whose ideas, theories, or research have directly influenced

your work. The works you cite provide key background information, support or dispute your

thesis, or offer critical definitions and data. Cite only works that you have read and ideas that you

have incorporated into your writing. Cite primary sources when possible and secondary sources

sparingly. Each work cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and each work in

the reference list must be cited in the text.

Parenthetical and Narrative Citation

In-text citations have two formats: parenthetical and narrative. In parenthetical citations, the

author name and publication date appear in parentheses. In narrative citations, this information is

incorporated into the text as part of the sentence.

Parenthetical Citation. Both the author and the date, separated by a comma, appear in

parentheses for a parenthetical citation. A parenthetical citation can appear within or at the end of
a sentence. When a parenthetical citation is at the end of a sentence, put the period or other end

punctuation after the closing parenthesis.

Falsely balanced news coverage can distort the public’s perception of expert consensus

on an issue (Koehler, 2016).

Narrative Citation. The author appears in running text and the date appears in parentheses

immediately after the author name for a narrative citation.

Koehler (2016) noted the dangers of falsely balanced news coverage.

Paper Elements

Student papers usually include, at minimum, a title page, page numbers, text and a reference list.

They may also have tables, figures and/or appendices.

Student Title Page

Students should include the following elements on the title page.

 title of the paper

 name of each author of the paper

 course name for which the paper is being submitted

 instructor name

 assignment due date

 page number top-left-aligned (included on all pages)

The text should start on a new page after the title page and abstract (if the paper includes

an abstract). On the first line of the first page of the text, write the title of the paper in title case,

bold, and centered. The text should be left-aligned, double-spaced paragraphs, with the first line

of each paragraph indented by one tab key. Use headings as needed and appropriate within the

text to separate sections and to reflect the organizational structure of the content. Do not start a
new page or add extra line breaks when a new heading occurs; each section of the text should

follow the next without a break.

Use the same font throughout the text of the paper. Options include

 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode or

 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia.

Double-space the entire paper, including the title page, abstract, text, headings, block

quotations, reference list, table and figure notes, and appendices.

Table and Figure Format

Figure number in bold above the figure. Brief title, in italics and title case, under the figure

number. Any relevant notes below the figure.

Table number in bold above the table. Brief title, in italics and title case, below the table

number. No vertical lines. Clear concise labels for column and row headings. Any relevant notes

below the table.

Table 1

Table Format Example In-Text Citation Styles

Basic In-Text Citation Styles

Author type Parenthetical citation Narrative citation
One author (Luna, 2020) Luna (2020)
Two authors (Salas & D’Agostino, Salas and D’Agostino (2020)
2020)
Three or more (Martin et al., 2020) Martin et al. (2020)
authors
Group author
with abbreviation
  First citation a (National Institute of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH,
Mental Health 2020)
[NIMH], 2020)
 Basic In-Text Citation Styles
Author type Parenthetical citation Narrative citation
  Subsequent (NIMH, 2020) NIMH (2020)
citations
Group author (Stanford University, Stanford University (2020)
without 2020)
abbreviation

Reference list

The reference list provides a reliable way for readers to identify and locate the works cited in a

paper. APA Style papers generally include reference lists, not bibliographies. In general, each

work cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and each work in the

reference list must be cited in the text.

Start the reference list on a new page after the text and before any tables, figures, and/or

appendices. Label the reference list “References,” capitalized, in bold, and centered. Double-

space all reference list entries (including between and within references). Use a hanging indent

for all references, meaning that the first line of each reference is flush left and subsequent lines

are indented by 0.5 in. Use the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program

to automatically apply the hanging indent. Works are listed in alphabetical order in the

reference list by the first word of the reference list entry.

REFERENCES

American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication Manual of the American

Psychological Association (7th Edition).

Matrix Education (2021). How to Write a Scientific Report | Step-by-step guide [online].

Retrieved from:https://www.matrix.edu.au/how-to-write-a-scientific-report/#:~:text=A
%20scientific%20report%20is%20written,and%20conclusions%20after%20the

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