Data gathering using

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
-this method of gathering data is used to
find out cause and effect relationships
-this method can go beyond plain
description of a set of data but this has
many threats to internal/external validity
Research design for
investigatory project
The Gantt Chart
 The Research Design
-Is the complete sequential steps the researcher
undertakes in order to achieve the goal of the study
-It is an intelligent plan of the researchers in pursuing
the goals of the study.
-Describes in sufficient detail the procedures
employed in the research so it can be evaluated and
repeated if necessary. Such description is important
in evaluating the study. It guides the researcher in
the conduct of the actual experiment.
 Basic Principles in
Experimental Design
Replication - It refers to the repetition of
the basic experiment done to provide an
estimate variation among observations on
units treated alike, assessing the
significance of observed differences. It
makes the test of significance possible.
Randomization - It is the assignment of
the experimental units to the treatment or
vice versa by pure chance. Its purpose is
to show that a factor among various
others, can best be considered as the
cause of an observed phenomenon and
not other factors. By randomization, the
effects of the extraneous factors that can
not be controlled perfectly are eliminated.
Control - This refers to the balancing, grouping,
and blocking of experimental units that are
employed to the adopted design. In blocking,
experimental units are assigned to a group
whose test organisms show similar
characteristics, i.e., age, gender, height,
weight, etc., or test conditions, i.e., pH
gradient, salinity, amount of substance, etc. Its
purpose is to achieve homogeneity in the
characteristic among test organisms that are
under study.
Common Experimental Design Used
Pretest Postest of Equivalent Groups
R O1 X O2
R O1 X O 2

Key:
X = Treatment O1 = Pretest
R = Randomization O2 =Posttest

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 9

 TYPES of Experimental Design
I. COMPLETELY RANDOMIZED DESIGN (CRD)-
This is used when the experimental units are essentially homogeneous.
Example:
The Effect of Hormones on Weight Gain of Pigs
· Three hormones are available:
- Hormone 1
- Hormone 2
- Hormone 3
· Homogeneity can come in the form of:
- piglets from a litter, if sufficient
- piglets of equal age
- piglets with the equivalent weights

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 10

· Suppose 16 experimental pigs were selected:
- four (4) Treatments:
Treatment A : Control
Treatment B : Hormone 1
Treatment C : Hormone 2
Treatment D : Hormone 3

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 11

· Floor Plan of Pig Pens:

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 12

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 13
· Experimental Layout: (After Randomization)

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 14

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 15
 II. RANDOMIZED COMPLETE BLOCK
DESIGN (RCBD)

- This design allows experimental units to be

meaningfully grouped.

- The number of units in a group is equal to the

number of treatments or multiples of it.

- Blocking allows units to be uniform so that observed

differences will be largely due to treatments.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 16

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 17
Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 18
Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 19
 Collection and Analysis of Data
Use of Dummy/Empty Tables

Weight of Piglets before the application of treatments

Treatment Replicate 1 Replicate 2 Replicate 2 Replicate 4
Treatment
1
Treatment
2
Treatment
3
Treatment
4

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 20

Weight of Pigs 100 days after the application of treatments
Treatment Replicate 1 Replicate 2 Replicate 2 Replicate 4

Treatment 1 47 52 62 51

Treatment 2 50 54 67 57

Treatment 3 57 53 69 57

Treatment 4 54 65 74 59

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 21

 Treatmen Replicate Replicate Replicate Replicate Average
t 1 2 3 4 (mean)
Before Treatment
Treatment 1
(pretest) Treatment
2
Treatment
3
Treatment
4
After 100 Treatment 47 52 62 51
days 1
(posttest) Treatment 50 54 67 57
2
Treatment 57 53 69 57
3
Treatment 54 65 74 59
4

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 22

 After 100 Days After 100 Days
80 80

Weight of Pigs
70
W eight of Pigs

60

60
40

50
20
40
0

tD
t

t
en

en

en

en
tm

tm

tm

m
A

tD

ea
t

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en

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Tr
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Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 23

 Statistical Analysis
Use Student’s t-test – compare two groups
Use Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) – compare 3 or more
group

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 24

 Investigatory Project Preparation
Workshop
Title
Statement of the Problems of Objectives
Use Venn Diagram to Outline the Rationale or Background
of the Study and the Significance of Study
Outline the Review of Related Literature
Outline Methods using Schematic Diagram
Cite at least 5 possible References

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 25

 After reading this part, you are expected
to get acquainted with some basic ideas on
research like:

1. What is Research?
2. Types of Research
3. Benefits of Research
4. Students and Research
5. Ethics and Research
Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 27
 Research and Science Research
As a preliminary understanding to making a science
project, one must have a clear idea about research. There are
several ways to define research. Below are some of these:

As cited by Calderon and Gonzales (1993), research in

general is a systematic, refined, careful, critical and disciplined
inquiry varying in method directed to the clarification and/or
resolution of a problem. It starts with a problem, collects
data or facts, analyzes and interprets these critically and
reaches a decision based on actual evidence.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 28

 According to Fraenkel and Wallen (1993), the term
“research” can mean any sort of “careful, systematic,
patient study and investigation in some field of
knowledge, undertaken to discover or establish facts and
principles.

According to Sibolbora (1995), science research is a

planned activity in the different fields of natural sciences
like earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, technology
and the environment.

Based on he definitions mentioned, science

research is subset of research. This implies that science
research adopts similar methods and techniques. More
Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 29
 Types of Research
Depending on your field of interest, research can come in
several types. It is your responsibility to choose the type of research
and the methodologies you wish to employ. But, take into
consideration its appropriateness (Fraenkel and Wallen, 1993).
Below are some of the research types

Experimental Research

This is the most conclusive of scientific methods because

the researcher actually establish different treatments and then
studies their effects. The results of this type of research result in
the most clear-cut interpretations.
Most of the science research projects are of this type. It will
be discussed in detail in Part Two.
Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 30
Qualitative Research

There are some instances in which data cannot be

quantified but you can investigate some qualities that can
be readily observe. Organizing these qualitative data is the
concern of qualitative research. In science research, there
are some data which yield only traits or characteristics. For
example, two different fertilizer are used to grow mongo
seeds. After germination, you noted that the leaves of the
plants when applied with one fertilizer are green and
wrinkled while the leaves of the plants applied with the
other fertilizer are yellow green with holes.
Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 31
Survey Research

In this type of research, the data gathered determine specific

characteristics of a group. Take the case of a gadget made in which
you cannot make use of the experimental research. How will you know
if the gadget is more practical than that which is commercially
available? How will you determine the project’s acceptability?
These questions can be answered by doing a demonstration
survey. First, construct a questionnaire that is focused on the
practicality and acceptability of the project. After demonstrating the
project in comparison with a commercially-available one, float the
questionnaire to randomly chosen people and determine percent-wise
the practicality and acceptability of the project.
In making science research projects, the types of research can
be taken singly or as a combination. It depends on how much the
researchers can afford.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 32

 Benefits of Research
In making a science research project the researchers
usually take into consideration the problems that arise in the
school and the community. They usually brainstorm
problems and issues that need immediate solution. For
example, in a particular community where there are several
families that harvest tomatoes at the same time. Eventually,
because the supply is high, the price is low. As one who is
knowledgeable in science research, you can help them by
thinking of a method on how to preserve the tomatoes until
the time comes when the supply is low and the price is high.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 33

 On the personal side, you feel delighted when you
see people coming up with a solution to a problem
because of your curiosity, careful planning and
investigation. As a matter of fact, we have been
responsive to many products and processes because of
research.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 34

 Students and Research
Science research is not for the College of Arts and
Sciences nor the Graduate School students only. Research is
for all. However, there is a need for a high school science
teacher to be knowledgeable on the basic principles in
conducting a science research project. The best clientele are
high school students. According to Sibolbora (1995), the
youth of today is the best target o introduce science research.
It is during this period that they are very curious, very
dynamic and very responsive to changes.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 35

 Honesty in Research
There have been occasions in which students just copy
ready-made write-ups and carry-out the procedure listed to
come up with the project. This is not the attitude that should
be emphasized, rather, originality through creativity. It does
not mean however, that they should not critique ready-made
write-ups.

if in case student researchers adopt a particular ready-

made write-up, improve it by developing and presenting
another methodology which must be unique from the
original. The bottom line is: le us note promote plagiarism
(copying one’sLarson
work without the consent of the author) or
& Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 36
 Ethics and Research
There are many researchable science topics around.
However, as researchers you should evaluate whether they are
for the good of the community . Researchers need to
consider the ethics of research. According to Fraenkel and
Wallen (1993), ethics refers to questions of right and wrong.
When researchers think about ethics, they must ask
themselves if it is right to conduct a particular study, or
investigate a certain question.

Are there some science studies that should not be conducted?

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 37

Consider the following situation:

A group of student researchers have learned from

a grandfather that a not-so-familiar-plant can cure
intestinal disorders. So the students gathered the leaves
and prepared a decoction and tried it on a patient who
happened to complain of stomachache. The patient was
rushed to the Hospital.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 38

 Lesson :
Do not use human as
specimen. At any rate
there are already
herbal plants which
have been
scientifically proven
to cure intestinal or
stomach troubles

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 39

Part Two:
Research
Topic and
Experiment
al designs
 Characteristics of a Good Science
Research Topic
A research topic is an area related to of science the field that
is of interest to you of which there seems to be an
inadequate knowledge thus prompting you to investigate.
The research topic may also include ideas that trigger your
curiosity.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 41

Your science research topic must:
a) be related to the field of science that you like.
This implies that you know a lot of concepts
and principles about it or you are very willing to
do intensive research
b) be a felt problem in the school, in the
community, or in the country in which you want
to offer a solution

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 42

c) not incur too much money
d) be testable. The output can be tried out
e) be specific. Not broad. You should be able to
realized it in a desirable period of time.
f) be attainable. It can be done. It is possible within
your capabilities.
g) be observable. You can use different senses to
explore it.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 43

 Sources of Science Research Topics
To look for a science research topic, one must be critical. Well, it
takes time to look for a topic.
Here are some possible sources of research topic:
a) The School
Do you like to collect coke cups or empty coke cans and
recycle them? Is there a better eraser than the commercially
available one?

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 44

b) The community
Can the barrio people assort their waste materials at
home and recycle them?
c) The library
By reading newspaper and science journals and
magazines, one can find interesting research
topics. For examples: if the human body needs
vitamin C from fruit juices to become more
resistant, do mongo seeds germinate and grow
robust when watered with different fruit juices.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 45

d) The internet
The internet is the interconnection of
computers worldwide. There are web
sites that can be visited that contain
science research topics and even
projects.
e) Science experts, educators and enthusiasts

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 46

 The Four Question Strategy
You might feel that the science research topics that
you have now has the necessary characteristics for
it to be researchable. However, you find out if it is
too broad. If it is very broad, use the Four
Question Strategy(4Q Strat) to make your research
topic more manageable. According to Cothron, et
al.(1993), the 4Q Strat is also a versatile tool to
make a research problem and a research question.
The 4Q Strat is as follows:

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 47

Question 1: What materials are readily
available for conducting experiments
on____________?
Question 2: How do ________ act?
Question 3: How can I change the set of
_______ materials to affect the action?
Question 4: how can I measure or describe
the response of _______ to the change?

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 48

The blank is the space for the word or the words
that are broad. The word or words are called the
props. Some examples of props include plants,
animals, popcorn, magnets, motors, etc. Suppose
you have chosen mongo plants as your prop. Let
us use the 4Q Strat to make the topic more
researchable.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 49

 Illustrative Examples:

Question 1: What materials are readily available for

conducting experiments on mongo seeds ?
Response: soils, mongo seeds, fertilizers, water,
light/heat and containers
Question 2: How do mongo seeds act?
Response: Mongo seeds germinate then grow as
plants

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 50

 Question 3: How can I change the set of
mongo seeds materials to affect the action?
Water Mongo Seeds Containers
Amount Kind Locations of hole

Scheduling Spacing Number of holes

Method of Age Shape

application
Source Size Material
Composition Size
PH Color

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 51

Question 4: how can I measure or describe the
response of mongo seeds to the change?
Response: germination time of mongo seed
Growth (height) of mongo plants
Color of the leaves
Thickness of the stem
It is now evident that from the prop (mongo seeds),
you can derive many researchable topics using the
4Q Strategy.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 52

 It is now evident that from the prop (mongo seeds),
you can derive many researchable topics using the 4Q
Strategy.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 53

Basic Elements of an Experimental
Design
You might ask: “What if we have answered the four
questions in the 4Q Strategy?” It is very important
since it will be the basis for the construction of an
experimental design.
An experimental design includes the following basic
elements: the variables to be studied, the factors to
be held constants, the control, the number of trials,
the hypothesis, and the title of the experimental
design.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 54

 What are these basic elements in
experimental designs?
Variables to be studied
Constant variables
Controlled variables
The number of trials
The hypothesis
Title of experimental design

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 55

Independent variable-
this are variables are freely changeable.
Dependent variable-
this is the quantity that respond or changes when
there are changes done in the independent
variable.
Controlled variable-
this is very important for comparison purposes.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 56

Constant variable-
variable that remains the same all through out the
process of experimentation.
Number of trials-
this is helpful in establishing a good and reliable
conclusion.

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 57