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10. Look at the first step of the experimental design. Is there something not specified?

11. What about step 2? Is there something not specified?

12. What is unclear about steps 3 and 4?

13. What is unclear about step 6?

Consider this example:

**SLEEPINESS EXPERIMENT**

Ruby and Mary are identical twins. They are often sleepy at noontime while attending their science class. They want to know why they frequently fall asleep at this time of day. Possible explanations might include:

- Eating a big lunch right before science class every day makes the twins sleepy.
- The classroom is too warm.
- The twins are less engaged in this class because they sit at the back of the room, instead of at the front as in the rest of their classes.
- The science teacher has a monotonous voice that Mary and Ruby find boring.
- Ruby and Mary become tired at noontime every day.

**Identify and Refine Hypotheses for Investigation**

Asking questions and defining problems are essential to the investigative process. Once those questions have been asked, the next step is trying to find and investigate the answer.

A hypothesis is a prediction, an attempted answer to the question being investigated. A hypothesis attempts to predict the outcome of the experiment and suggests one or more possible reasons for the results. A good hypothesis should be based on observations and prior knowledge.

Each of these possible explanations for the twins falling asleep in class is a potential hypothesis. A hypothesis should be stated in a way that allows you to make a prediction that can be investigated by experiments or more observation. Proposing more than one hypothesis can be a good scientific practice.

Lastly, hypotheses can be eliminated but not confirmed with 100% certainty.

Let's rephrase two of the possible explanations into questions to show how they might be tested.

Answer :

Final answer:

The response identifies issues in the experimental design of Ruby and Mary's sleepiness experiment, highlighting the need for clear definitions, measurement methods, and analytical approaches. Each step of the experimental design lacks specificity for effective execution. Ensuring testable hypotheses and proper analysis techniques are emphasized as critical for valid results.


Explanation:

Identifying Issues in Experimental Design

This activity revolves around hypotheses and the structure of an experiment. Below are the observations and suggestions regarding the steps of the experiment as it pertains to Ruby and Mary's SLEEPINESS EXPERIMENT.

10. First Step of the Experimental Design

The first step typically involves stating a problem or observing a phenomenon. In this case, the lack of a defined method to measure sleepiness or specific criteria for what constitutes feeling sleepy is a major oversight.

11. Second Step of the Experimental Design

The second step usually requires formulating a testable hypothesis. However, the explanation does not specify how each hypothesis can be tested experimentally or what parameters need to be defined for testing.

12. Steps 3 and 4

These steps should outline the methodology and materials used in the experiment. It is unclear what tools will be used for measuring variables such as classroom temperature or engagement, and there is no mention of how control variables will be maintained.

13. Step 6

In the final steps of an experiment, one should evaluate data and draw conclusions. There is ambiguity regarding how the data will be analyzed—specifically, what statistical methods may be employed to ascertain whether the results support the hypotheses.

In summary, careful consideration and specification of measurement methods, hypothesis testing, and data analysis are crucial for a well-designed experiment that seeks to understand factors affecting sleepiness during the twins' science class.


Learn more about Experimental Design here:

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