How to write an investigation

1. Aim /Question
2. Hypothesis: Write down a prediction of
what you think will happen in your
experiment AND explain why you think
this will happen using SCIENCE!
3. Independent Variable: this is what you will change
Dependent variable: This is what you will measure
Control variables: These are things you will keep constant
for a fair test. This keeps the experiment valid.
4. Equipment/Apparatus: What you will use.
Draw the lab experiment set up diagram.
5. Safety: What are the risks and how will you
manage them.
6. Method: Write a step by step plan. Include
EVERYTHING you need to so. INCLUDE
REPEATS to prove your work is repeatable
and this increase the reliability of your results.

7. Results: Draw a table of results

X-axis Y-axis
Independent variable Dependent variable ALWAYS write units
 left column in right column in the heading

Temperature Volume of gas released (cm3)

(oC)
Repeat 1 Repeat 2 Repeat 3 Average

       

8. Draw a bar chart/line graph

Include:
1. Title Volume of gas

2. Label axes with heading and unit

3. Plot data points accurately
4. Scales go up evenly Temperature (oC)
5. Sharp pencil
6. Smooth line or line of best fit
Do not plot Repeats/Attempts on a graph.
 
9. Choosing the right graph
Remember, plot the independent variable on the x-axis
(horizontal) and plot the dependent variable on the y-axis
(vertical).
If both the independent and dependent variables are
number values then you should plot a line graph.
If the independent variable isn’t a number value (various
categories) then you should draw a bar graph.
If you’ve drawn a line graph, then it needs a line of best
fit. These lines pass through, or near as many data points
as possible. It can either be a straight line, or a smooth
curve. Look at the pattern to decide which is most
appropriate.

10. Results analysis: Describe the pattern

in your results. USE DATA VALUES to
support your sentence.
e.g. as the temperature increased more
gas was released. For example at 100C
25cm3 of gas was released and at 400C 62cm3of gas as
released.
11. Conclusion: Explain your results using
scientific ideas and keywords.
E.g. this happened because particles move faster
at higher temperatures and there are more
collisions.

12. Evaluation:
 Writ e down the strengths of your
method
 Write down the weaknesses of your
method. If you can explain why it is a
weakness
 Write down how you could improve the method if you
were to do this investigation again
 DO you have any further questions you could ask
based on what you have found? What further
investigations could you carry out?