Ultimate Goals of an Experiment

Questions and Answers

What is one of the most important aspects of an experiment?

Patenting the invention

Giving a Nobel Prize acceptance speech

Making a profit

Recreating the experiment (correct)

What is the primary focus of a written report about an experiment?

The importance of the discovery

The potential applications of the discovery

The ultimate goals of the experiment (correct)

The biography of the researcher

What should come first in a written report about an experiment?

Materials and procedure

Introduction to the researcher

Purpose and hypothesis (correct)

Results and conclusion

Why is it important to include materials in a written report?

To help readers recreate the experiment Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the conclusion in a written report?

To draw a final answer from the data Signup and view all the answers

What can be compared to 'showing your work' in a written report?

The data profiles Signup and view all the answers

How long does a written report about an experiment have to be?

Only a few pages Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in writing a scientific report?

Write the purpose of the experiment Signup and view all the answers

What should you do just before performing your experiment?

Make any relevant data tables Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of having a hypothesis in mind?

It gives the experiment focus and direction Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to control for all variables in an experiment?

So the experiment can be repeated Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why the procedure of an experiment is essential?

To ensure the experiment can be repeated Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you conduct an experiment and don't get the same response?

Find out what the reason for the variation is Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the results of an experiment?

They help other scientists figure out if the work is really worth it Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an accidental scientific discovery?

The creation of Teflon Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ultimate Goals of an Experiment

The ability to recreate an experiment is crucial in sharing the results, as seen in the paper by Watson and Crick explaining DNA, which is only a few pages long.

Parts of a Written Report

A written report should include:
- Purpose and hypothesis
- Materials and procedure
- Results and conclusion
This order is important to ensure that all necessary information is shared.

When to Write What

When writing a report:
- Start by writing the purpose of the experiment
- Next, write the hypothesis
- Then, plan and write the procedure
- Create data tables before conducting the experiment
- Record important data during the experiment
- Analyze data and write the conclusion

Avoiding Pointlessness and Ensuring Repeatability

A hypothesis is essential to give an experiment focus and direction
A procedure is crucial to ensure that an experiment can be repeated by others
Controlling variables is key to good science, and repeating an experiment with the same results is vital
Identifying and addressing variables that affect the outcome is essential

The Importance of Results

Results help other scientists determine if the work is worth pursuing
Results should answer questions such as:
- How much of the desired outcome was achieved?
- Is the outcome worth the effort and resources?
- What are the implications of the results?
Results can also lead to new discoveries and applications.