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These guidelines are designed as a checklist. Ensure that, to the best of your ability, you
have included each one in your assessment. It REALLY helps if you set your work out under
the separate headings; eg Define problem and select variables
DESIGN ASPECT ONE: Define problem and select variables
Have you formulated a clear and focused problem or research question based on
the teachers prompt? This should be an investigation into the relationship or function
between two variables.
eg. How does the mass suspended on a spring affect the extension of the spring?
What have you decided to be your independent variable? (This is the variable YOU
change). Make sure your terms are well defined. Dont say the size of the crater but
rather the depth of the crater as measured from the normal sand level.
What is your dependent variable? (This is the variable that changes because you
have changed something else). Even if the teachers prompt gives you the dependent
variable you should identify it.
You do not need to know the outcome of your research question. The identification of
the relevant variables will tell you what to measure and what to graph.
Design a method for the effective control of the variables. Be sure to discuss each of
the controlled variables as well the independent and dependent variables. Some
variables may be uncontrolled such as the room temperature, but in your method you
should say how you will monitor them.
Your method should state exactly how you will measure each variable. Eg exactly
where you intend to measure a distance from and to.
State any precautions you will take to ensure you get reliable and accurate readings.
323779805.doc, Page 1 of 4
The table should have ruled lines between columns and MUST fit on one page only
Comment on any qualitative aspects relevant to the data. (eg you ignored any really
anomalous height data when the ball did not bounce vertically) There may be none.
Make sure you use the appropriate number of significant figures/decimal places.
If you change the uncertainty on a processed measurement eg. because you are
considering reaction time/ease of measurement etc, you should explain how/why
you chose the uncertainties for your measurements in the processed data table.
Make sure they are reasonable and reflect the range in your repeated results.
eg using half range as absolute uncertainty for an average.
Show one example of the processing of the DATA by writing the equation, explaining
the quantities, and showing a sample calculation. (One data point is usually sufficient)
Construct the trend line (best-fit line); a straight line if the function is linear or a
curve. If using Excel, ALWAYS check that the Excel trend line is the one you would
draw by hand.
Determine the equation of the trend line, quoting the gradient with units for a linear
graph. If linear, use the form y = mx + c BUT use the symbols used in the theory
developed/quoted eg R = 2.1L + 0.69 (R resistance, L length)
Make sure you have the correct number of sig figs
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Process any uncertainties from the raw data correctly for the calculated data. When
finding the average, you take the range of the values recorded and divide by two,
unless this uncertainty is smaller than the uncertainty on the raw data. You use
absolute uncertainties when adding or subtracting, and percentage of uncertainties
when multiplying or dividing, squaring, etc. When processing non-linear functions you
may want to take minimum and maximum values for the calculated range.
Explain how you calculated the UNCERTAINTIES for the plotted data.
(One data point is sufficient)
Each data point on the graph should have uncertainty bars. If they are too small to
plot them clearly you can leave them out BUT you need to say they are too small to
plot clearly!
If you have a linear graph then construct minimum and maximum gradients on your
graph by using the uncertainty bar extremes. Use these gradients to determine the
uncertainty in the gradient (and/or intercept) of your best-straight line graph. If using
Excel to generate lines, ALWAYS check that these min/max lines are the ones you
would draw by hand
Check you have quoted the equation of best fit with uncertainties
eg y =3.5x + 4.8 where
o
uncertainty in gradient, m
y intercept = c c
REMEMBER UNITS!
If you see an intercept, can you say that you can show proportionality if you take
your uncertainties into consideration? Explain why you think this.
Does your conclusion offer more than just a restatement of the graph? You need to
explain and justify what you discovered, including the scope and limit of your
results. Look especially at the data points at the end points of your ranges. Do they
fit the trend?
If you have a linear graph, can you use the gradient to obtain a value for anything
that can be compared to a published value eg the acceleration due to gravity.
Percentage differences are useful when comparing your results but remember to
discuss the limits of uncertainty for your data. (literature/ published values must have
a referenced source)
If relevant, comment about random (scatter) and systematic errors (often seen as
non zero intercepts) in your data, and comment about any x-axis or y-axis intercepts.
What, if anything, is the physical meaning of the intercept?
What, if anything, is the physical meaning of the systematic shift?
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Comment on the overall quality of your data. Precision and accuracy are relevant
here. eg was the range adequate; were your repeated readings all fairly similar; are
your results all close to the best fit line drawn; comment on anomalous results, giving
possible reasons for them
Consider the equipment used, methods followed, as well as time management. (could
you have used other equipment with more precision?)
Consider the evaluation from above (CE aspect 2) and address the important issues.
Make sure suggestions or improvements are realistic, detailed and significant.
Do not be vague eg use a computer to measure it / use light gates etc.
What about the range and number of your data? Would changing this help? Why?
How? Any additional problems if the range is increased?
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