Log of planning process
Planning Process: 02/08/2014 – Background research on the area of investigation was made, including what effect salt, flour, sugar or sand may have on ice. Also, the planning of the experiment was also completed on this day where I made sure that I had the materials needed and what steps I must take to conduct the experiment.
06/08/2014 – On this day, I conducted the experiment and risk assessment. I took the results of the experiment and recorded them, making a table and a graph. Pictures, outlining how the experiment was conducted were also taken.
07/08/2014 – The formal experimental record was completed.
09 – 10/08/2014 – The rest of the investigation task assignment was completed.
Independent and Dependant Variables: In an experiment, the independent variable is the variable that is changed by the researcher, and the dependent variable is the effect that is measured. The independent variable in my experiment would be the time. The dependant variable would be the effect of the household substances on the ice cube.
Experimental Controls: A or a control group is separated from the rest of the experiment where the variable being tested cannot influence the control’s results. This separates
the independent variable's effects on the experiment and can help find other explanations of the experimental results. The control in my experiment would be the ice cube that had nothing sprinkled over the top, which was left untouched and just as it is. The control was added to test if any of the substances had any effect on a normal ice cube.
Risk Assessment
• The substances (sugar, salt, sand and flour) that will be added to the ice cube or even small broken bits of the Ice cube may be accidently flicked into one’s eyes. This risk can be prohibited by wearing goggles to protect and form a barrier for your eyes.
• One may have allergic reactions that relate to sugar, salt, sand or flour that may irritate the skin if there is contact. This risk can be prevented by wearing protective clothing such as a lab coat, an apron or gloves.
• Saucers or Bowls made out of glass and ceramic may be dropped and cracked. The cracked shards may then cut or harm the body. This risk can be minimised and prevented by wearing covered shoes and taking caution in not dropping the object. Also, when picking up the broken pieces, gloves should be worn at all times or a responsible adult may assist you in picking the pieces up.
Validity and Reliability: Validity in the experiment correctly tests the aim, i.e. all factors are kept constant aside from those being investigated. In this experiment, the aim (to determine what makes ice melt fastest among 4 different household substances) was correctly tested; four different household substances were sprinkled over consistent identical ice cubes, therefore the validity ensured. The definition of reliability, as given in 'The Free Dictionary', is "Yielding the same or compatible results in different clinical experiments or statistical trials". I ensured that this experiment was reliable as the five different ice cubes were identical, the amount of substance that was sprinkled over each ice cube was the same and I made sure that the five trays of ice cubes were tested at the same time to make sure that any outside factors such as temperature would not affect
the result if they were tested at different times of the day.
06/08/2014 – On this day, I conducted the experiment and risk assessment. I took the results of the experiment and recorded them, making a table and a graph. Pictures, outlining how the experiment was conducted were also taken.
07/08/2014 – The formal experimental record was completed.
09 – 10/08/2014 – The rest of the investigation task assignment was completed.
Independent and Dependant Variables: In an experiment, the independent variable is the variable that is changed by the researcher, and the dependent variable is the effect that is measured. The independent variable in my experiment would be the time. The dependant variable would be the effect of the household substances on the ice cube.
Experimental Controls: A or a control group is separated from the rest of the experiment where the variable being tested cannot influence the control’s results. This separates
the independent variable's effects on the experiment and can help find other explanations of the experimental results. The control in my experiment would be the ice cube that had nothing sprinkled over the top, which was left untouched and just as it is. The control was added to test if any of the substances had any effect on a normal ice cube.
Risk Assessment
• The substances (sugar, salt, sand and flour) that will be added to the ice cube or even small broken bits of the Ice cube may be accidently flicked into one’s eyes. This risk can be prohibited by wearing goggles to protect and form a barrier for your eyes.
• One may have allergic reactions that relate to sugar, salt, sand or flour that may irritate the skin if there is contact. This risk can be prevented by wearing protective clothing such as a lab coat, an apron or gloves.
• Saucers or Bowls made out of glass and ceramic may be dropped and cracked. The cracked shards may then cut or harm the body. This risk can be minimised and prevented by wearing covered shoes and taking caution in not dropping the object. Also, when picking up the broken pieces, gloves should be worn at all times or a responsible adult may assist you in picking the pieces up.
Validity and Reliability: Validity in the experiment correctly tests the aim, i.e. all factors are kept constant aside from those being investigated. In this experiment, the aim (to determine what makes ice melt fastest among 4 different household substances) was correctly tested; four different household substances were sprinkled over consistent identical ice cubes, therefore the validity ensured. The definition of reliability, as given in 'The Free Dictionary', is "Yielding the same or compatible results in different clinical experiments or statistical trials". I ensured that this experiment was reliable as the five different ice cubes were identical, the amount of substance that was sprinkled over each ice cube was the same and I made sure that the five trays of ice cubes were tested at the same time to make sure that any outside factors such as temperature would not affect
the result if they were tested at different times of the day.