The Procedure • A Procedure is a list of materials and experimental steps

given in order to complete an experiment

• The steps in a procedure are numbered and presented in a

sequential and logical order (for example, step #3 leads to

step #4) and, as a result, need to be executed in the same

order.

• The Procedure also includes any safety precautions and

equipment required for the experiment

• Whenever you are given a task with a Procedure you should

pre – read the Procedure prior to conducting the experiment

• When given a Procedure you should NEVER be in a situation

where you are reading the Procedure for the FIRST TIME

WHILE DOING THE EXPERIMENT!

Pre-Reading

Procedure

Technique

• A Task/Equipment/Diagram Sheet (T.E.D. Sheet) is a useful tool to use when you are pre-reading a procedure.

Here’s how this process works on a step taken from a procedure:

Procedural Step:

1. Using a graduated cylinder measure 20ml of potassium iodide solution and pour the solution into an Erlenmeyer flask

Task Equipment Diagram

From Step #1:Measure 20ml of Potassium Iodide Solution into Graduated Cylinder

From Step #1:Pour the solution into an Erlenmeyer flask

Graduated Cylinder. Make sure to read

the bottom of the meniscus

Erlenmeyer Flask

Constructing a Procedure

• Many Investigations will require you to design and construct

a procedure (no procedure is given to you!)

A Well Constructed Procedure should:

1. List ALL Materials and Safety Equipment required in the

experiment at the beginning of the procedure

2. Have numbered steps

3. Involve only one or two clearly described actions per step

4. Contain steps that follow a logical order

5. Include diagrams for more complicated steps