the Next Step in the Scientific Method
Last week we looked at collecting data, and this week we will be analyzing that data. This is one of the more complex portions of the scientific method, as it will involve the use of statistics and analysis tools. However, not all science fair projects will need to use complex analysis tools and formulas, but in any case it is a good idea to at least learn about them.
The first step in analyzing your data is to organize it. To organize your data you will want to set up a spreadsheet. You can organize your data by classifying it under headings, times, etc. For example, for the fire experiment that tests how oxygen affects the ability of a fire to burn you will have column headings of Control Experiment and No Oxygen Experiment. The row headings will be something like seconds fire burned or fire was extinguished.
The next step is to analyze your data. Elementary, Middle School and High School students will generally rely on simple statistics to analyze their data. You will use statistics like the mean, median, mode and standard deviations of your data. At this stage of the scientific method you don’t want to explain why you got the results that you did, you simply want to present your data.
To practice your data collection and analysis skills go to the blog written by Flury 8655 and try out one or more of their sample science fair projects. The more you practice analyzing data the easier it will become.
[...] Analyzing Data, the Next Step in the Scientific MethodTo practice your data collection and analysis skills go to the blog written by Flury 8655 and try out one or more of their sample science fair projects. The more you practice analyzing data the easier it will become. [...]