Michael JensenConducting Experiments
May 3rd 2009 13:00
Sorry I haven't written for awhile; I've been quite busy, and as a consequence, my blog's readers have decreased. So here is my next post.
Experiments. The practice of testing a theory by trying different things. Although experiments can be safe, simple, and sometimes boring, many times, experiments can be very fun. But there is a proper way to conduct experiments.
Most importantly, follow scientific method. What is scientific method? Let me explain.
1) Ask a question
Anything you want to find out about or are curious about will do.
2) Do background research
Try to get more info on your question so you know what to expect from your experiment.
3) Formulate a hypothesis
Make a guess about what the result of your experiment will be.
4) Test the hypothesis with an experiment
Conduct an experiment to test you hypothesis that changes only one variable each time. ( A variable is basically things that could change the result of your experiment. You want to keep the number of variables to one.)
5) Record and analyze your data to find a result.
Look at all the information you gained from conducting your experiment and form a result based on what you found.
6) Publish your result
Let other people know what you discovered.
When doing an experiment, it is important to follow the scientific method because it helps you form a well-structured result based on your experiment.
Another important factor in experimenting is to use logical reasoning. Work in a way that makes sense. Chances are that if it seems right, and you can do it safely, it's worth testing.
That's mostly all. I know that this is not the most interesting stuff you've ever read, but now that you know about how to conduct a proper experiment, you can enjoy the fun of doing experiments yourself. Tomorrow I will probably post pictures of something I've been working on. In the meantime, get out there and try something interesting! (Please comment and let me know what you found [Publish your results])
Experiments. The practice of testing a theory by trying different things. Although experiments can be safe, simple, and sometimes boring, many times, experiments can be very fun. But there is a proper way to conduct experiments.
Most importantly, follow scientific method. What is scientific method? Let me explain.
1) Ask a question
Anything you want to find out about or are curious about will do.
2) Do background research
3) Formulate a hypothesis
Make a guess about what the result of your experiment will be.
4) Test the hypothesis with an experiment
Conduct an experiment to test you hypothesis that changes only one variable each time. ( A variable is basically things that could change the result of your experiment. You want to keep the number of variables to one.)
5) Record and analyze your data to find a result.
Look at all the information you gained from conducting your experiment and form a result based on what you found.
6) Publish your result
Let other people know what you discovered.
When doing an experiment, it is important to follow the scientific method because it helps you form a well-structured result based on your experiment.
Another important factor in experimenting is to use logical reasoning. Work in a way that makes sense. Chances are that if it seems right, and you can do it safely, it's worth testing.
That's mostly all. I know that this is not the most interesting stuff you've ever read, but now that you know about how to conduct a proper experiment, you can enjoy the fun of doing experiments yourself. Tomorrow I will probably post pictures of something I've been working on. In the meantime, get out there and try something interesting! (Please comment and let me know what you found [Publish your results])
| 37 |
| Vote |
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by David Hamilton
1. Question: Will Michael Jensen's blog become an online success?
2. Research: Successful bloggers, according to the experts, keep writing daily. They pick an interesting topic, watch their statistics (who's reading their site), and develop a network of regular readers. Including compelling, personal stories helps make a blog successful.
Sources:
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
3. Hypothesis: Michael's blog will become an online success.
4. Experiment: We conducted a comparison of how Michael's content matches requirements for a successful blog, based upon research data above.
5. Record and analyze: It was found that Michael's blog includes some personal stories, interesting topics and regular readers. Michael hasn't been writing daily, though he acknowledges as much.
6. Publish: Michael's blog will likely become an online success. More research is needed for further analysis.
Comment by Michael Jensen
Tales From The Lab
Science and Life