Investigation Report Format
Investigative Question:
How does the manipulated
variable affect the responding (dependent) variable?
Hypothesis:
If the manipulated variable
increases/decreases, then the responding (dependent) variable will
increase/decrease, because (there must be a cause-effect reason given).
Materials:
Prepared materials for the
manipulated variable
A tool to measure the
responding variable
Several other essential
things
Procedure:
1.
Carefully set up
everything as shown in the Investigation Set-up diagram.
2.
Adjust the
‘manipulated variable’ to condition A.
3.
Measure and
record the ‘responding (dependent) variable’ as ‘Trial 1 in the data table.
4.
Check all
materials and the set-up to insure everything is the same as in step 1.
5.
Repeat the investigation
for Trials 2 and 3 of Condition A.
6.
Repeat steps 2
through 5 for remaining conditions of the ‘manipulated variable’.
7.
Calculate and
record the average values for each condition of the ‘manipulated variable’.
Data Table:
(Example)
Manipulated
Variable vs. Responding Variable
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Manipulated Variable (units) |
Responding (dependent) Variable (units) |
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Trial 1 |
Trial 2 |
Trial 3 |
Average |
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Condition A |
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Condition B |
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Condition C |
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Condition D |
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Graph:
- Title includes manipulated and responding variable.
- X axis scaled correctly and shows the manipulated
variable with units.
- Y axis scaled correctly and shows the responding
variable with units.
- Best fit line is drawn when appropriate.
Conclusion:
- Answers the investigative question or describes
whether the hypothesis was supported.
- Includes supporting
data from the data table.
- Explains how the data supports your conclusion.