Experimental Design

Rule #1

• Experiment must show that a hypothesis is either supported or not supported (falsification)
• do not use terms such as "proven" or disproven"
• do use terms like "reject" and "failed to reject"

Rule #2

• Results must be measurable and objective
• Use standard units (this means metric if possible)
• Use special equipment as needed

Rule #3

• Experiment must be repeatable
• Procedures should be clear and thorough 
• "If you did it, write it down!"
• Reference any technique that is not fully explained (do not include basic measuring, etc.)

Rule #4

• You should have a variable and a control
• Normally, try for 1 independent and 1 dependent variable
• Control is typically the observation prior to treatment, or a with common solvent

Rule #5

• Data tables are good
• Graphs are good
• Both together are much better!!!