Scientific Project: Methods Learning Objectives:

/in /by

Scientific Project: Methods
Learning Objectives:

1) Identify the common components of the methods section of scientific research.
2) Explain how to test a scientific hypothesis.
3) Create step-by-step instructions on how to perform the self-experiment.

Instructions:

For this section of your scientific project, you are expected to write a detailed description of
the steps you will take to test your hypothesis and perform your self-experiment. Remember
to be as detailed as possible.

For example, if your dependent variable is heart rate, how will it be measured? Will
you use a Fitbit or Apple watch? Will you take it the old-fashioned way (count your
heartbeats)? If you are counting your heartbeats, will you be counting beats over 15
seconds and multiplying by 4? Will you count heartbeats over the whole minute?

The more detailed you are about the process, the better.

Please use the following 4 subheadings to receive full credit:

1) Hypothesis

• Restate (in one single sentence) your hypothesis to clearly identify your independent
and dependent variables.

2) Participants

  • This will be about YOU, since you will be the only participant in your experiment.
    Identify demographics that you feel are important to the experiment (female, 18
    years old, full-time college student, student athlete, moderately active, vegetarian,
    family history of heart disease, etc.) It is not necessary to identify every personal
    descriptor – just those that you feel are pertinent to your study.
  • You are the only participant, therefore you will not remain anonymous like
    participants would in typical scientific research. Because of this, you are not required
    to share personal information that you do not wish to disclose. If there is personal
    data you feel is pertinent to your experiment that you do not want to disclose, you
    must state so explicitly (“For the confidentiality of the participant, ____ and ____
    demographic data has not been disclosed”).
    3) Materials

• What equipment will you need? Include every material you will need to complete your
experiment. You should specify brand whenever possible; e.g. Bowflex elliptical

4) Procedures

  • Create exact step-by-step instructions you will follow to complete your experiment
    (must be written in paragraph form- not as a list).
  • Must include testing intervals- how long will the study last? How frequently will you
    collect data? Will you collect data before and after your intervention?
  • Remember, this experiment must be quantitative in nature, meaning all data
    collected can be represented by a numerical value.