Experimental Design Worksheet
This is a worksheet to help you develop the Experimental
Design for meeting the research requirements in Biol 3920.
- What is the QUESTION
or problem you wish to investigate? What is your testable
hypothesis [null]? What is/are your expected outcome(s) or results if
your hypothesis is supported, i.e. you reject the null hypothesis?
- What DATA
do you need to obtain in order to test your null hypothesis? Indicate
units of the actual measurements [end-points] and also how the data would be
summarized and/or normalized (i.e., mean ± SD, %, mm/sec, etc.).
Be sure to evaluate data quality before you use it!
- What is/are the TEST(S)
or TREATMENT(S)?
Be specific with quantitative parameters (concentrations, etc.).
Give some thought here as to what kind of statistical analysis
you'll perform. It is prudent to make sure you can analyze the
data later using routine statistics.)
- What is/are your CONTROL(S)
for the variable(s) being tested? What will each control tell you?
- What is one REPLICATE
in your experiment? How many replicates (e.g.,
measurements, observations, trials) in each treatment level and
control will there be? Consider how long it takes to get one
observation and how much time you have.
- Outline
the Step-by-Step Procedure(s) you will use to obtain a
single measurement or observation, and be sure to specify all the
quantitative parameters (how much, how long, when, what dose,
etc.) and the equipment used for each step. This must be precise
and clear enough that anyone can do it with a consistent level of precision;
it must be thorough enough for anyone to replicate your experiment
with comparable equipment.
- How
will your DATA be summarized, analyzed,
and presented? Show relevant calculations
(e.g., normalization of data, etc.) and indicate the statistical
tests you'll employ. For graphic presentation, indicate the type
of graph and the variables to be plotted. Consider how the data sheet will be set up to facilitate
analysis of the data.
- State any Assumptions
you are making in doing this experiment and justify them, i.e.,
explain your rationale for making them. How will you know if your
assumptions are not met?
- List all Materials
you will need in carrying-out the research in a Table.
|