Experimental Design Process
Overview: Experimental Design Process
The Experimental Design Process focuses on planning an investigation of something that naturally occurs in nature through the deliberate manipulation of a specific variable. This is referred to as the treatment in an experiment. As a treatment is introduced into an investigation, observations and measurements are taken to determine the effect of any change in conditions. The aforementioned is just a brief overview on the basics DR.MED took in to consideration in order to determine how a particular treatment affects our environment.
For our Experimental Design Process we chose a scientific method to guide three separate, but related, experiments. Additionally, we complied with the following criteria:
• Engaging in our preliminary research
• Developing a cause and effect hypothesis
• Identifying one independent variable per experiment as a cause factor
• Identifying dependent variables to measure effects
• Controlling all other variables for a fair test of the hypothesis
• Differentiating between experimental and control groups
• Running the controlled experiments to collect qualitative and quantitative data
• Organizing and analyzed the collected data
• Drawing data-based conclusions
• Sharing our Findings
• Engaging in our preliminary research
• Developing a cause and effect hypothesis
• Identifying one independent variable per experiment as a cause factor
• Identifying dependent variables to measure effects
• Controlling all other variables for a fair test of the hypothesis
• Differentiating between experimental and control groups
• Running the controlled experiments to collect qualitative and quantitative data
• Organizing and analyzed the collected data
• Drawing data-based conclusions
• Sharing our Findings
Overview of Experiments Conducted by DR.MED
We identified the problem, and created a cause and effect question.
Our cause and effect question is as follows: “How will the quality of groundwater be affected, if pharmaceuticals are introduced to a stream table?” We used this question, to help us create an experiment. We researched and found information that regarded or related to our topic of interest. Based on this research, and our prior knowledge, we formed a hypothesis. Our hypothesis was, that the stream table that was contaminated with pharmaceuticals, would show traces of the contaminants in the runoff. To test our hypothesis, we conducted an experiment, but before we could run the experiment, we had to plan out all the steps, what materials we would need to use, how we would collect our information and what controlled variables we would need to consider, in order to keep our tests fair. After we planned our experiment, we gathered all of the supplies, and set up the experiment, as we had designed previously. Once all was prepared, we ran the experiment, and collected the runoff water. We tested the water, for both qualitative and quantitative data, and then compared the results, and compared the outcomes to those of the control group. We discussed the results, and determined what the results meant, and how it differed to the quality of clean, filtered ground water. After this water was collected, and the information we collected was recorded, we were confronted with another inquiry.
We were interested in finding how the contaminated water would affect vegetation, so we repeated the process to prepare our second experiment. Once we had gathered our materials, had decided the controlled variables, designed the set up, and gathered our supplies, and determined what information we would record, we researched plant growth. Because of our time limit, we searched fast growing plants. Among these, we chose three different types, which were lettuce, radishes, and grass. We learned of how these plants germinated, and what conditions were best to plant these in. From the information gathered, we formed our hypothesis. We believed that the plants that were treated with the runoff water that was contaminated, would not grow as well, would not be healthy, or would change in appearance. We tested this hypothesis, over a course of five days, and each day, we recorded our qualitative and quantitative data. After we had gathered our information, the results of the experiment were obvious. The seeds that were treated with contaminated water, did not germinate or grow at all. The seedlings that were given clean and uncontaminated water, germinated the first and second days, and grew up to 5cm throughout the five days. We also saw a change in the soil, and saw how the contaminated water changed some of its features. The soil that was watered with filtered ground water, was moist, warm, and had a dark color to it, because of the moisture. The soil that was given contaminated water, was not as warm, dry, had an orange tint from the lack of moisture, and had an odor of chemicals, due to the water it had received. These results, supported our hypothesis, and lead us towards a third experiment.
Seeing the results of the plant growth experiment, we were concerned even further, that pharmaceuticals would be disposed of improperly. During our phases of research, we found federal guidelines that referred to disposing of medications. Although we had learned that throwing medications in the toilet, down the sink, or in the trash, can still affect our environment, the federal guidelines offered suggestions for disposing of medications in the trash, if they are not taken to a take-back event. They suggested mixing the expired and uncontaminated pharmaceuticals with used coffee grounds, or cat litter. Because there were no indications on the federal guidelines if these procedures had any merit in protecting our environment, we decided to conduct an experiment. Once again, we went through the process of constructing and preparing for our experiment. As soon as the supplies were gathered, and the set up was complete, as indicated in our proposed set up, and the data we were to collect was established, we formed our hypothesis, and ran the experiment. We collected data from the runoff water, and from what observations we made. We compared the results of each experiment, results of each substance, and compared the experimental group to the control group. From our results, we were able to support our hypothesis that clumping cat water would work best, followed by cat litter, and that coffee grounds would not be efficient. Although our results “rank” each substance, it is preferable that the medications be taken to the take-back events, due to the fact that if exposed, even if in a mixture with either substance, the medications are not neutralized, and can still harm our environment.
Our cause and effect question is as follows: “How will the quality of groundwater be affected, if pharmaceuticals are introduced to a stream table?” We used this question, to help us create an experiment. We researched and found information that regarded or related to our topic of interest. Based on this research, and our prior knowledge, we formed a hypothesis. Our hypothesis was, that the stream table that was contaminated with pharmaceuticals, would show traces of the contaminants in the runoff. To test our hypothesis, we conducted an experiment, but before we could run the experiment, we had to plan out all the steps, what materials we would need to use, how we would collect our information and what controlled variables we would need to consider, in order to keep our tests fair. After we planned our experiment, we gathered all of the supplies, and set up the experiment, as we had designed previously. Once all was prepared, we ran the experiment, and collected the runoff water. We tested the water, for both qualitative and quantitative data, and then compared the results, and compared the outcomes to those of the control group. We discussed the results, and determined what the results meant, and how it differed to the quality of clean, filtered ground water. After this water was collected, and the information we collected was recorded, we were confronted with another inquiry.
We were interested in finding how the contaminated water would affect vegetation, so we repeated the process to prepare our second experiment. Once we had gathered our materials, had decided the controlled variables, designed the set up, and gathered our supplies, and determined what information we would record, we researched plant growth. Because of our time limit, we searched fast growing plants. Among these, we chose three different types, which were lettuce, radishes, and grass. We learned of how these plants germinated, and what conditions were best to plant these in. From the information gathered, we formed our hypothesis. We believed that the plants that were treated with the runoff water that was contaminated, would not grow as well, would not be healthy, or would change in appearance. We tested this hypothesis, over a course of five days, and each day, we recorded our qualitative and quantitative data. After we had gathered our information, the results of the experiment were obvious. The seeds that were treated with contaminated water, did not germinate or grow at all. The seedlings that were given clean and uncontaminated water, germinated the first and second days, and grew up to 5cm throughout the five days. We also saw a change in the soil, and saw how the contaminated water changed some of its features. The soil that was watered with filtered ground water, was moist, warm, and had a dark color to it, because of the moisture. The soil that was given contaminated water, was not as warm, dry, had an orange tint from the lack of moisture, and had an odor of chemicals, due to the water it had received. These results, supported our hypothesis, and lead us towards a third experiment.
Seeing the results of the plant growth experiment, we were concerned even further, that pharmaceuticals would be disposed of improperly. During our phases of research, we found federal guidelines that referred to disposing of medications. Although we had learned that throwing medications in the toilet, down the sink, or in the trash, can still affect our environment, the federal guidelines offered suggestions for disposing of medications in the trash, if they are not taken to a take-back event. They suggested mixing the expired and uncontaminated pharmaceuticals with used coffee grounds, or cat litter. Because there were no indications on the federal guidelines if these procedures had any merit in protecting our environment, we decided to conduct an experiment. Once again, we went through the process of constructing and preparing for our experiment. As soon as the supplies were gathered, and the set up was complete, as indicated in our proposed set up, and the data we were to collect was established, we formed our hypothesis, and ran the experiment. We collected data from the runoff water, and from what observations we made. We compared the results of each experiment, results of each substance, and compared the experimental group to the control group. From our results, we were able to support our hypothesis that clumping cat water would work best, followed by cat litter, and that coffee grounds would not be efficient. Although our results “rank” each substance, it is preferable that the medications be taken to the take-back events, due to the fact that if exposed, even if in a mixture with either substance, the medications are not neutralized, and can still harm our environment.