SIMPLE SCIENCE EXPERIMENT for Grade 7 Research

Research 7

1. SIMPLE SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

2. Experimental research, often considered to be the “gold standard” in research designs, is one of the most rigorous of all research designs. In this design, one or more independent variables are manipulated by the researcher (as treatments), subjects are randomly assigned to different treatment levels (random assignment), and the results of the treatments on outcomes (dependent variables) are observed. The unique strength of experimental research is its internal validity (causality) due to its ability to link cause and effect through treatment manipulation, while controlling for the spurious effect of extraneous variable.

3. Experimental research is highly controlled procedure in which manipulated treatments or actions from a factor or condition, called the experimental or independent variable, are applied upon another factor or condition, called the variable, to determine the effect of the former upon the latter, all other factors or variables being kept constant or equal so that any change in the dependent variable is attributable only to the experimental or independent variable.

4. What are the Characteristics of Experimental Research?   Variables Setting Multivariable

5. Variables Experimental research contains dependent, independent and extraneous variables. The dependent variables are the variables being treated or manipulated and are sometimes called the subject of the research. The independent variables are the experimental treatment being exerted on the dependent variables. Extraneous variables, on the other hand, are other factors affecting the experiment that may also contribute to the change.

6. Setting The setting is where the experiment is carried out. Many experiments are carried out in the laboratory, where control can be exerted on the extraneous variables, thereby eliminating them.  Other experiments are carried out in a less controllable setting. The choice of setting used in research depends on the nature of the experiment being carried out. Multivariable Experimental research may include multiple independent variables, e.g. time, skills, test scores, etc.

7. Why Use Experimental Research Design?   Experimental research design can be majorly used in physical sciences, social sciences, education, and psychology. It is used to make predictions and draw conclusions on a subject matter. 

8. Some uses of experimental research design Medicine:  Experimental research is used to provide the proper treatment for diseases. In most cases, rather than directly using patients as the research subject, researchers take a sample of the bacteria from the patient’s body and are treated with the developed antibacterial…. Education:  Asides from science subjects like Chemistry and Physics which involves teaching students how to perform experimental research, it can also be used in improving the standard of an academic institution. This includes testing students’ knowledge on different topics, coming up with better teaching methods, and the implementation of other programs that will aid student learning.

9. Human Behavior:  Social scientists are the ones who mostly use experimental research to test human behaviour . For example, consider 2 people randomly chosen to be the subject of the social interaction research where one person is placed in a room without human interaction for 1 year.

10. Types of Experimental Design Single group with only a post-test design . Single group with a pre-test and a post-test design. Matched groups design . Randomized multigroup with a post-test design. Randomized multigroup with a pre-test and a post-test design Factorial design .

11. Types of Experimental Design Single group with only a post-test design. This involves a thing, person, or group subjected or exposed to a certain experimental factor for a certain period of time Then, after the experimental period, the subjects exposed to the experimental factor are given a post test. The achievement of this experimental group is then compared with the achievement of another group with similar characteristics and studying the same subject matter under customary instructional methods but unexposed to the experimental factor.

12. Types of Experimental Design Single group with a pre-test and a post-test design In this design, the group is exposed to a certain experimental factor However, before the start of the experiment, the group is given a pre-test about the subject matter to be covered in the experiment. Then, after the experimental period, the group is given the same pre-test but in a different form to avoid the effect of practice. This is the post-test.

13. Types of Experimental Design Matched groups design. In this design, two groups are matched in age, sex, grade level, mental ability, etc. One group, called the experimental group, is exposed to the experimental or independent variable while the other group, called the control group, is not exposed to the experimental variable After the experimental period, the two groups are given the same test covering the subject matter studied during the period.

14. Types of Experimental Design Randomized multigroup with a post-test design In this design, there are two or more experimental variables to be tested. So groups are formed equal to the number of experimental variables. The members of each group are assigned randomly to their respective groups. Each experimental factor is applied on the group to which it is assigned.

15. Types of Experimental Design Randomized multigroup with a pre-test design and post-test design This is the same as the design in No.4. The only difference is that, there is a pre-test. After the experiment, the results of the pre-test and those of the post-test are subjected to some statistical methods

16. Types of Experimental Design Factorial Design A factorial experimental design is a two factor experiment in which there are two experimental factors involved

17. Eight essential parts of Experimental Design 1. Title of the experiment written as “the effect of independent variable on the dependent variable” 2. Hypothesis in the form of an “if-then” statement. 3. Independent variable. 4. Different levels of the independent variable. 5. Level of the independent variable that will serve as the control for experiment. 6. Number of repeated trials for each level of independent variable. 7. Dependent variable, including how it is measured. 8. Constant.

18. General Layout for an Experimental Design Title The effect of fertilizer on plant height Hypothesis If the amount of fertilizer is increase, then the average plant height will increase. Independent Variable Amount of fertilizer Levels of independent variable & number of repeated trials 0g of fertilizer per liter of water 5g of fertilizer per liter of water 10g of fertilizer per liter of water 15g of fertilizer per liter of water 3 trials 3 trials 3 trials 3 trials Dependent variable and how it is measured Average height of plant, measured in cm Constants 1. Soil type 2.Fertilizer type 3. Light 4. Temperature

19. What are the Disadvantages of Experimental Research?   It is highly prone to human error due to its dependency on variable control which may not be properly implemented. These errors could eliminate the validity of the experiment and the research being conducted. Exerting control of extraneous variables may create unrealistic situations. Eliminating real-life variables will result in inaccurate conclusions. This may also result in researchers controlling the variables to suit his or her personal preferences.

20. What are the Disadvantages of Experimental Research?   It is a time-consuming process. So much time is spent on testing dependent variables and waiting for the effect of the manipulation of dependent variables to manifest. It is expensive.  It is very risky and may have ethical complications that cannot be ignored. This is common in medical research, where failed trials may lead to a patient’s death or a deteriorating health condition.

21. What are the Disadvantages of Experimental Research?   Experimental research results are not descriptive. Response bias can also be supplied by the subject of the conversation. Human responses in experimental research can be difficult to measure.