Guide to Organizing Data and Writing the

Conclusion/Evaluation

Writing in Science

• How is writing in Science class different than writing in English class?

• How is writing a conclusion for an investigation like “Survival of the Beak-est” different than writing a conclusion for an essay in English?

Examples

During class, we have been learning about how fertilizers help plants grow by adding nitrogen to

the soil. Plants need nitrogen so they can grow larger and repair themselves more efficiently.

Bacteria and other decomposers naturally add nitrogen to the soil by breaking down dead

matter from plants and animals. When these are broken down, the nitrogen that was once in

them enters the soil, which can then be used by other plants.

During this lab, I was trying to determine if MiracleGro Fertilizer helps plants grow bigger. My

hypothesis was that it would help plants grow bigger because it is a very well-known fertilizer

(and it wouldn’t be so well known if it didn’t work). My data supported my hypothesis. On

average, the plants that received MiracleGro grew 2 cm in 13 days. The plants that only received

water grew 1.35 cm in 13 days. Therefore, using MiracleGro resulted in bigger plants.

One source of error that may have produced incorrect data collected was that the experiment

wasn’t run for a long enough period of time. I will use the information I learned from this

experiment when I plant a garden this summer. I will be sure to use fertilizer on my garden to

help the plants grow larger. I would like to learn more about different types of fertilizers and if

certain fertilizers work better than others. Then I could use the best fertilizer on my garden.

Differences

Structure Hypothesis Aim Observations – only what is seen Look for patterns (use of visuals like graphs) Conclusion

use specific data and numbers to describe results explains science behind ideas

Evaluation: source of errors

Sample Observation Checklist Yes NoIs a direct statement of the results (not an interpretation or an inference) Ex: In Nectar Island 60 ml were collected using the dropper, 2 ml using forceps followed by BBQ stick with….Note: Imagine the data talking to you. What is it saying?

Bar Graph showing average number of nuts collected using different beaks

the 4 different islands.

Sample Graphing Checklist Yes No

4 sets of bar graphs (separate/combined) correctly drawnGraph shows data points for average of trials

Correctly labels X- and Y-axis

Correct units are given

Appropriate title is provided

Work is neatly presented

• Aim: How does beak type affect a bird’s ability to eat a certain type of food?

• Conclusion Part 1: Describe results through eyes of scientist. Record observations. Just the facts! Be specific & exact. Use the data (#s)! Look for patterns.

• Conclusion Part 2:

Explain the “science” behind the results. Summary that explains how mutation, adaptation and natural selection played an important role in the different bird populations’ ability to reproduce and survive.

NOTE: Choose 1 island for your conclusion.

Big Idea:

• All claims/statements in the conclusion need to be supported by actual evidence (real numbers) from the experiment.

Extension: Read article posted on the blog: How Darwin’s Finches

Got their Beaks

BIG IDEA:

Evaluation is very important to

determine whether the experiment is a

FAIR TEST.

• There may be several minor errors but overall result remains unchanged. • There may be a single error only but may have greatly affected the final result.

BIG IDEA:

•Going over the checklist allows you to check whether you have missed something

• You have time to make necessary changes