THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

IB BIO LABORATORY SKILLS

TYPICAL SEQUENCE FOR THE

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Rearch
Selection of Problem
Derive a Hypothesis / Null Hypothesis
Identify Variables (IV / DV)
Develop a method
Data Collection
Statistical Analysis (REQUIRED FOR MOST LABS)
Interpretation of results and conclusions
Suggestions for improvements

BACKGROUND & RESEARCH QUESTION

Identify a focused problem or research
question.
This should begin with an explanation of the
observation that lead to the problem or
question.
Your lab write up must have background
information that leads up/relates to this
problem/question.

HYPOTHESES AND PREDICTIONS

Features of a sound hypothesis:
It offers an explanation for an observation
It refers to only one independent variable
It is written as a statement and not a question
It is testable by experimentation
It is based on further research, observations or
prior knowledge
It leads to predictions about the system (or the
topic of your experiment)
Can be in an IFTHEN statement
Relate the hypothesis directly to the problem /
research question.

HYPOTHESESLETS GIVE IT A TRY!

Example 1: During an experiment on bacterial
growth, the girls noticed that bacteria in cultures
grew at different rates when the dishes were left
overnight in different parts of the laboratory. (This is
an observation)
Hypothesis:

HYPOTHESESONE MORE TRY!

Example 2: Observation During an experiment on
plant cloning, a scientist noticed that the root
length of plant clones varied depending on the
concentration of a hormone added to the agar.
Hypothesis:

VARIABLES
When you are planning an investigation, you must
identify the variables that you are testing and the
ones that you keep constant. A variable is any
characteristic or property able to take any one of a
range of values.
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Controlled variable

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
Set by the person carrying out the investigation (ex.
Temperature, light intensity, pH)
Recorded on the x axis of the graph during data
presentation
There is always only one in an investigation
Must record proper unit

DEPENDENT VARIABLE
Measured during the investigation (ex. Plant growth,
heart rate etc)
Recorded on the y axis of the graph during data
presentation
There is always only one in an investigation
Must record proper unit

CONTROLLED VARIABLES
Factors that are kept the same or controlled.
You must list these (table format is best)
Common ones?
Identify what may happen if they are not controlled
Explain how you will control them

CONTROL GROUP
The group(s) that does not get the indep. variable
Needed for comparison

MATERIALS
Selects appropriate materials:
BE SPECIFIC as to size, number, limitations, unitsetc.

PROCEDURE

Write in paragraph form or in list form with

complete sentences - use past tense.
Use a photograph or drawing of your lab setup.
Label variables not just equipment!

COLLECTING AND RECORDING

RAW DATA
Must have a RAW DATA TABLE make sure this is raw data
only! (You can make this neat later, but keep your raw
data table and include it in your laboratory report.)
All columns, etc. are properly headed & units are given.
DO NOT SPLIT A DATA TABLE BETWEEN PAGES!!

Uncertainties are mandatory!!!

Drawings: appropriate size and relative position, accuracy
Microscopic drawings: Magnification, size bars, treatment
(stain used, smear, sectioned, squashed, whole tissue,
maintained at ambient temperature, etc.)

 Processes the raw data correctly.

*Include all formulas used for your
calculations
* Show calculations
Presents raw data appropriately, helping
interpretation and,
where relevant takes into account errors
and uncertainties.

QUALITATIVE DATA
Include qualitative data as well!!
Descriptions of observations/ color
changes/ etc.
Pictures/drawings could be also be used
here.

DATA PRESENTATION
Graphs are a must!
Must be page with 1-2 sentences describing
the graph NOT an analysis or conclusion!

CONCLUSION AND EVALUATION

This is a paragraph section in which you get
a chance to discuss the results of your
experiment. ALWAYS BASED ON DATA!
Address whether your data seems to support
or refute your hypothesis.
This should be discussed and not just stated.
(refer to statistical analysis / graphs/ etc.)
Avoid the use of the word proof or
proves within your conclusion, as your
data will not prove anything! (supports is a
good word choice)

LIMITATIONS OF EXPERIMENTAL
DESIGN
This section discusses how well your experimental
design helped answer your experimental
question.
What worked well (and why) and what did not
work well (and why).
Outlier points could be discussed here with
possible reasons for the outliers
If you have error bars on your graph, what do
those show?
If you did any statistical tests, what did the results
show?

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

In reference to the limitations, what realistic and
useful improvements could be made if you were to
do the experiment again?