Experimental Design Plan|Biology
For your course project you are tasked with designing and carrying out a research project on enzymes of your own design using the Vernier gas pressure sensor (see Enzyme Catalase Lab Student Guide for directions and the Enzyme Experiment Video at the bottom of the assignment description). The purpose of this assignment is to help you plan and design an experiment investigating the factors that impact enzymes. After this assignment is complete you will be able to conduct your experiment, collect data and prepare for the experiment analysis.
*Please note that experiment reports submitted that do not use the Vernier sensors will receive a grade of 0 so make sure you have your sensors ordered and available to conduct this experiment.*
Instructions:
Look through the directions in the Enzyme Catalysis Lab student guides. Before performing an experiment or lab, you must design and plan what is going to be tested and how you are going to test it. You must be organized and be able to communicate your results effectively. This assignment is designed to help you organize your experiment design. Use what you have learned about the scientific method from your lab assignments to help you design an experiment on enzyme action. You will need to conduct some background research on enzyme action before you can design your experiment. Once you have a good understanding of enzymes, choose your independent variable and start the experiment design. The research will be used to help you write your experiment paper.
An experiment is a research method in which you manipulate a variable or variables under very controlled conditions and examines whether any changes occur in response to the manipulation of the variable.
It is a cause and effect relationship
1. Experiment introduction & background research with references in APA format (50 pts)
Before you can design an experiment you need to have a good understanding of the current research. You need to summarize what research is currently known about your experiment question in the introduction of your report. This part of the assignment allows you to get a jump start on that task while building valuable knowledge that will help you in your experiment design.
1) internet to research information on enzymes.
2) Look through these examples of how to share background research in an introduction:https://unilearning.uow.edu.au/report/2biii1.html
Collect background information for your research experiment and use references and in text citations to back up you research. Explain any ideas or techniques that are necessary for someone to understand your experiment. At the minimum you should cover what enzymes are, what role/influence your independent variable has on enzymes, why this is important, your testable question and hypothesis. The introduction is generally 1 page long. You need to use APA formatted in text citations and references and this should be written in the 3rd person. You need to use at least 4 different academic references for your background research.
The grading in this section of the assignment is broken down as follows:
Coverage of topic including scientific question and hypothesis: 30 points
4 academic references and APA reference and citation technique: 15 points
Grammar/spelling/voice:5 points
Need tips on APA in text citations? They can be found here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
Need tips on APA reference formatting? They can be found here:https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/
Want a handy tool that formats your references in APA for you? Visit this website:http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php
2. Identify the Independent Variable, Dependent Variable and Constants (10pts)
· Independent Variable is the variable that is manipulated. It is the variable that you change on purpose. (The CAUSE) There are many variables that can change enzyme action. For the hands on experiment choose only 1 variable. You can choose from salinity, temperature, enzyme concentration or pH.
· Dependent Variable is the variable that we measure in response to the manipulation of the independent variable. It is a measurable change. State are we measuring to gauge enzyme action in our experiment here(The EFFECT)
· Constants are all the other variables in the experiment that must remain the same so we can see what effect the independent variable has on the dependent variable.
· The Control is used as a standard of comparison. The control is a level of the independent variable that has been changed the least or not at all.
3. Write a Title (5pts)
· Use the following pattern when writing a title…
The Effect of the (Independent Variable) on the (Dependent Variable)
4. Write a Testable Question (5pts)
Not all questions are testable!!
A testable question asks. . .
“What is the effect of the Independent Variable on the Dependent Variable?”
5. Write a Hypothesis (5pts)
A hypothesis is a prediction of the outcome of the lab. Your prediction is based on your understanding of the scientific concept.
It answers your testable question. Use the following pattern:
IF the (IV- how it is changing), then the DV- how you think it will change), BECAUSE (why do you think this is happening.
Example- If the IV increases, then the DV will decrease because….
6. Write your Procedures (20pts)
Procedures are a list of materials used in the experiment and the steps in performing the experimental part. Procedures are the recipe you follow in order to perform the experiment. Write these in order, in paragraph form, and using your own words. Do not simply copy and paste from the student lab guide.
7. Create your Data Table (5pts)
Data is recorded during the procedures. You need to create your data collection table for your experiment. Below is an example Data collection table. Create your own collection table using labels with the names of your variables and the correct units you are measuring. Do not collect data yet! You are just setting up the table so you are ready to collect data when it is time to run your experiment. Wait until you get feedback from this assignment to begin any data collection
·
{Insert name of Independent Variable} (insert units)
{Insert name of Dependent Variable} (insert units)
Average { Insert name of Dependent Variable }(insert units)
Trial 1 *
Trial 2 *
Trial 3*
Control
{Insert Treatment 1 Name}
{Insert Treatment 2 Name}
{Insert Treatment 3 Name}
