Prepare for Data Collection

4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment

Your experiment tests whether your prediction is accurate and thus your hypothesis is supported or not. It is important for your experiment to be a fair test. You conduct a fair test by making sure that you change only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same. You should also repeat your experiments several times to make sure that the first results weren't just an accident.

Task #4B: Prepare for Data Collection

1. Review the ‘Preparations’ and ‘Data Table’ sections of Conducting the Experiment for Your Science Fair Project to review what steps you need to take prior to experimentation, including how to set up your data table.
2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
   1. True or False: Setting up a data table before starting an experiment is important for organizing and accurately recording data.
      True

      False
      Correct! Setting up a data table before experimentation ensures that data is organized and accurately recorded.
      Nice try! Review the section on preparing for an experiment to understand the importance of organizing data beforehand.
   2. What should your data table include?
      Space to record data for each trial

      Each level of the independent variable

      Space to record the dependent variable

      Units of measurement and consistent rounding of numbers

      All of the above
      Great job! Your data table should include all of these elements to ensure accurate and organized data collection.
      Nice try! Review the list of things to include in a data table to understand why all these elements are necessary.

3. Prepare your data table. If you are using a Science Buddies project, there may be a sample data table provided to help you get started. If you are creating your own data table, you should try to make one on your own and then ask a teacher or mentor to check it for you.

   Make sure your data table includes the following:

   • A place to document data for each experimental group and your control group
     A place to document your dependent variable (including units)
     A place to calculate averages, if applicable
     A separate row, column, or table for each trial you plan to run

   Your data table should go directly into your lab notebook. You can draw your data table by hand or create one in a word processing program like Google Docs or Microsoft Word and then print and paste it into your notebook.

   Turn in your lab notebook to your teacher OR include a link to a picture of your notebook below: