Experimental Design

A scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested with an experiment

• Theory

• Hypothesis

• Conclusion

• Data

Noticing or describing events in a careful, orderly way

• Theory

• Hypothesis

• Inference

• Observations

The factor that is tested during an experiment

• Independent Variable

• Constant

• Dependent Variable

• Control Group

The factor that is observed or measured during an experiment; the data collected

• Independent Variable

• Constant

• Dependent Variable

• Control Group

Conditions that are the SAME between the control and experimental groups

• Independent Variable

• Constants

• Dependent Variable

• Data

The test group in which the independent variable is changed

• Control Group

• Dependent Variable

• Experimental Group

• Constant

The group which does not get the independent variable; "normal" conditions

• Control Group

• Dependent Variable

• Experimental Group

• Constant

Numbers obtained by counting or measuring

• Qualitative data (Categorical)

• Descriptive data

• Quantitative data

• Observations

Descriptive information; characteristics that cannot be expressed as a number

• Qualitative data (Categorical)

• Measurements

• Quantitative data

• Variables

An explanation answering the original question that is supported by data from the experiment

• Hypothesis

• Observations

• Conclusion

• Theory