Activity 1.1.5: Time of Death Experimental Design
*Below, I will use a lab that I had previously done in class as an example of some specific variables in a controlled experiment*
Objective: To understand the components needed for a lab journal and their purposes
Hypothesis: The hotter it is outside, the longer it takes the body to cool versus if it's cooler out, the process is faster since the body is an average temperature of 98.6 degrees.
Above are my definitions of what a positive and negative control would be. So by definition, here is my lab findings of what they would be in Activity 1.1.5 respectively.
Here is a chart of the independent and dependent variables within the Time of Death Experimental Design lab that we did previously in class.
In this lab, we learned how ambient temperatures affect the rate of body cooling versus if there was nothing to affect the cooling process.
In this lab, we learned how ambient temperatures affect the rate of body cooling versus if there was nothing to affect the cooling process.
Independent Variable
The weather
(ambient temperature) Positive Control
The room temperature water bath. This keeps the cooling of the body from accelerating; instead, keeps it a constant pace. |
Dependent Variable
Change in body temperature
Negative Control
The cold water bath. This accelerates the cooling process of the human body. |
Activity 2.2.2: Food Label Activity
In this lab, we are able to clearly see what the controlled factors were as well as the experimental. (I chose this lab to show the controlled/experimental because it's easier to show and explain.)
The controlled group was the fact that Anna needed insulin in order to live a healthy lifestyle. People suffering from type one or type two require insulin. There is no changing this fact.
The experimental group was what she decided to eat throughout her day and if she decided to exercise appropriately. She had the power to alter or change what she ate.
So in other words, the experimental group is something that a person has the power to alter or change while the controlled group is something you cannot create nor change the outcome of what will occur.
In this lab, we are able to clearly see what the controlled factors were as well as the experimental. (I chose this lab to show the controlled/experimental because it's easier to show and explain.)
The controlled group was the fact that Anna needed insulin in order to live a healthy lifestyle. People suffering from type one or type two require insulin. There is no changing this fact.
The experimental group was what she decided to eat throughout her day and if she decided to exercise appropriately. She had the power to alter or change what she ate.
So in other words, the experimental group is something that a person has the power to alter or change while the controlled group is something you cannot create nor change the outcome of what will occur.
Above is a picture of my lab, and the specific food charts of what
she ate routinely. The graph shows what requirements she did
and did not meet.
she ate routinely. The graph shows what requirements she did
and did not meet.
Self Reflection
Due to this lab, I have learned the difference between controlled groups versus experimental, and why they have the power to affect the outcome of your lab results. Before this lab, I did not have a firm grasp of what specific variables meant and why. I now have an adequate understanding of specific variables that must be recognized in each lab and how they can piece together the results of your lab - or at least make sense of why you received certain results.
I have also noticed that keeping good track of your labs, and writing down controls, independent variables, etc. can definitely help keep track of your labs and are good references for when you look back on them at later times. Not writing these things down can be confusing when looking back and possibly alter your future findings/results.
Due to this lab, I have learned the difference between controlled groups versus experimental, and why they have the power to affect the outcome of your lab results. Before this lab, I did not have a firm grasp of what specific variables meant and why. I now have an adequate understanding of specific variables that must be recognized in each lab and how they can piece together the results of your lab - or at least make sense of why you received certain results.
I have also noticed that keeping good track of your labs, and writing down controls, independent variables, etc. can definitely help keep track of your labs and are good references for when you look back on them at later times. Not writing these things down can be confusing when looking back and possibly alter your future findings/results.