Experimental Design Science Olympiad
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Independent Variable - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- state what you will manipulate (and
operationally define it)
manipulate at least three times
Dependent Variable - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- state what will happen when you
manipulate the IV and operationally define it (give a precise description of the value to be
recorded, the instrument that will be used, and the units used to measure it.)
Controlled Variables - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Include at least four
Experimental Control--SOC - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- State your control and give your
reasoning as to why you picked it (or make up some reasoning, if you don't have any good
reasons)
Materials - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- List all the materials used and have no extras (maybe
clarify the difference w/the judge between "tool" and "material")
And of course list them under "materials"
Procedure - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Write procedure so another could follow it. Repeated
trials are used/mentioned. Use diagrams. Logical sequence/well organized.
Analysis and interpretation of data - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- First put down what trend
the data seemed to show (linear? none?). Then explain why (why the data seemed to show
that trend, and what that means with regards to your statement of problem)
Next comment on unusual data points. (make sure you do something wrong during the
experiment in order to have at least one weird point) Explain what experimental error that is
most likely due to.
, Possible Experimental errors - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Important! Make some errors
during the experiment!
Give reasons for error (you can always start with "system error" "human error" but also tell
how and why that error affected the outcome.
There is a weird point called "important info about data collection given." dunno how to get
that point. Perhaps restate some important aspect of your procedure.
Maybe " important info about (how your experiments affected the results)" Do you think that
would work?
Conclusion - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Restate hypothesis. Tell whether it was supported
or not supported, and list the reasons for why you believe it was supported or not.
Applications and Recommendations for further use - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Practical
application (even if it is already in use). Suggestions for how to improve experiment (via
eliminating experimental errors)
Suggestions for other ways to look at your hypothesis, and suggestions for further
experimenting.
Data Table - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Include: All raw data, Condensed data table,
example calculations
Make Sure: ALL data has UNITS, label table properly and with correct figures
Graph - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Include: UNITS, title, labels for axes
Make Sure: the appropriate scale and type of graph was used
Statistics - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Make a table WITH UNITS for the range. Include
columns for the lowest, highest, and range
Also, include line of best fit and mean
Qualitative Observations - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Format:
*Before*!!! Observe the actual materials
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Independent Variable - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- state what you will manipulate (and
operationally define it)
manipulate at least three times
Dependent Variable - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- state what will happen when you
manipulate the IV and operationally define it (give a precise description of the value to be
recorded, the instrument that will be used, and the units used to measure it.)
Controlled Variables - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Include at least four
Experimental Control--SOC - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- State your control and give your
reasoning as to why you picked it (or make up some reasoning, if you don't have any good
reasons)
Materials - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- List all the materials used and have no extras (maybe
clarify the difference w/the judge between "tool" and "material")
And of course list them under "materials"
Procedure - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Write procedure so another could follow it. Repeated
trials are used/mentioned. Use diagrams. Logical sequence/well organized.
Analysis and interpretation of data - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- First put down what trend
the data seemed to show (linear? none?). Then explain why (why the data seemed to show
that trend, and what that means with regards to your statement of problem)
Next comment on unusual data points. (make sure you do something wrong during the
experiment in order to have at least one weird point) Explain what experimental error that is
most likely due to.
, Possible Experimental errors - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Important! Make some errors
during the experiment!
Give reasons for error (you can always start with "system error" "human error" but also tell
how and why that error affected the outcome.
There is a weird point called "important info about data collection given." dunno how to get
that point. Perhaps restate some important aspect of your procedure.
Maybe " important info about (how your experiments affected the results)" Do you think that
would work?
Conclusion - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Restate hypothesis. Tell whether it was supported
or not supported, and list the reasons for why you believe it was supported or not.
Applications and Recommendations for further use - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Practical
application (even if it is already in use). Suggestions for how to improve experiment (via
eliminating experimental errors)
Suggestions for other ways to look at your hypothesis, and suggestions for further
experimenting.
Data Table - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Include: All raw data, Condensed data table,
example calculations
Make Sure: ALL data has UNITS, label table properly and with correct figures
Graph - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Include: UNITS, title, labels for axes
Make Sure: the appropriate scale and type of graph was used
Statistics - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Make a table WITH UNITS for the range. Include
columns for the lowest, highest, and range
Also, include line of best fit and mean
Qualitative Observations - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Format:
*Before*!!! Observe the actual materials
