Experimental Design Concepts

What is one major difference between coursework and research?

• Coursework has unpredictable outcomes; research has guaranteed answers

• Research follows a grading rubric; coursework doesn't

• Coursework usually has known solutions; research often does not

• Coursework requires lab coats, research does not

Which of the following is the best example of a testable hypothesis?

• Robots are cool

• Algorithms are confusing

• LED brightness decreases as ambient temperature increases

• Coffee is magical

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-PS1-3

In experimental design, a dependent variable is best described as:

• The variable you measure as a result of changes

• The variable you control to avoid bias

• The variable you manipulate directly

• The variable that texts you back multiple times a day

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

What is the purpose of including a control group in an experiment?

• To confuse your audience

• To provide a baseline for comparison

• To make the experiment more exciting

• To avoid having to replicate the experiment

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Why is it important to keep a detailed lab notebook?

• So you can impress your mentor with your handwriting

• To document your methods and results for reproducibility

• So you can doodle when bored

• Because lab notebooks are collectible items

What should you do if your hypothesis turns out to be wrong?

• Cry and go home

• Change your data to match your hypothesis

• Analyze the results honestly and learn from them

• Deny everything and become a magician instead

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Which tool is most helpful for planning your time across a 10-week research program?

• A Gantt chart or weekly milestones

• A random number generator

• A compass and a map

• Your own sense of intuition

When working with a mentor, what is one of the best practices?

• Email them 14 times a day to prove you're working

• Wait until the last week to ask questions

• Come to meetings prepared and ask thoughtful questions

• Professional emails? Nah. It’s all Riz and reaction gifs now.

What does “falsifiable” mean in the context of a good hypothesis?

• It can be proven false with evidence

• It's a fancy buzzword to include in grant proposals

• It has already been falsified by others

• You can lie about it to get the results you need

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Why is reproducibility important in research?

• It helps others trust and build on your work

• It means your project is automatically funded

• It lets you clone your results into new species

• It's just another buzzword scientists use for fun