Mr. Mason’s Cruel Experiment (or Mason’s version of the scientific method…)

Mr. Mason’s Cruel Experiment

(or Mason’s version of the scientific method…)

8.31.15

1. First step of any scientific investigation?

1. Observation

1. Observation

• Some students do better in school than others

1. Observation

• Some students do better in school than others

• The students who do better also do more homework (positive correlation)

2.

2. Hypothesis

• More homework leads to higher student achievement

2. Hypothesis

• More homework leads to higher student achievement

– Do not use phrases like “I think…” State your hypothesis as a positive statement, as though it is fact. • Remember: A valid hypothesis must be falsifiable

3.

3. Design experiment and do research

• Have others already studied this relationship? If so, how did they do it?

3. Design experiment and do research

• Have others already studied this relationship? If so, how did they do it?

• How do you measure student achievement?– Final grades? Test scores? Future jobs/income?

3. Design experiment and do research

• Have others already studied this relationship? If so, how did they do it?

• How do you measure student achievement?– Final grades? Test scores? Future jobs/income?

• Vary levels of treatment– Some with normal amount, some with a lot

3. Design experiment and do research

• Have others already studied this relationship? If so, how did they do it?

• How do you measure student achievement?– Final grades? Test scores? Future jobs/income?

• Vary levels of treatment– Some with normal amount, some with a lot

• Test null hypothesis– Give one class no homework at all

3. Design experiment and do research

• Have others already studied this relationship? If so, how did they do it?

• How do you measure student achievement?– Final grades? Test scores? Future jobs/income?

• Vary levels of treatment– Some with normal amount, some with a lot

• Test null hypothesis– Give one class no homework at all

• Keep all other variables constant

4.

4. Do the experiment

5.

5. Collect and Analyze data

6.

6. Conclusion and replication

• See if any conclusions can be drawn from data

• If it can, do the experiment again to make sure that results are consistent– If not?

6. Conclusion and replication

• See if any conclusions can be drawn from data

• If it can, do the experiment again to make sure that results are consistent– If not? Either revise your hypothesis or refine

your experimental design.

7.

7. Communication

8.

8. Verification

• Have other scientists do your experiment.

• Results and conclusions are only considered valid if other people get the same results.