Best Stain Remover Lab - Writing Up an Investigation
Many brands of liquid detergent are sold in the groceries. Each brand claims that it is the best when it comes to stain removal. But which one is really the best? You will find out in this laboratory activity which involves planning, conducting, and writing up a scientific investigation.
Writing Up an Investigation Learning Objective:
At the end of this laboratory activity, students are expected to:
- Plan, carry out, and report which brand of liquid detergent is best to use for stain removal.
Download these Lab Sheets for Your Class:
Best Stain Remover Laboratory Proper:
In this laboratory, you will have access to the following equipment to help you collect data.
- 3 different brands of liquid detergent
- 3 pieces 4” x 4” white cloth
- pipette
- food coloring
- beakers
- stopwatch
Instruction:
The activity can be executed in a variety of ways depending on the class and whether this is to be a formative or summative assessment. For example:
- The planning and writing up can be done as individual tasks under test conditions with the experiment itself completed in small groups. It is recommended that students ensure that they have a copy of the data before beginning the write up.
- The planning and experiment can be done in small groups and the write up completed as an individual task.
- All three parts can be carried out as a formal assessment under test conditions.
Task 1: Planning the Investigation
Write a scientific plan which shows how you will carry out your experiment.
- Formulate a hypothesis for your investigation.
- Write down the variables for your investigation.
- Describe how you will measure the dependent variable for this investigation to obtain some data.
- Write a detailed method which describes how you will collect your data.
- Draw a labelled diagram of your experimental set-up.
- Conduct limited trials to check if your method is workable. Place any notes from your trials in the space below.
- List any changes that you need to make to your method in the space below. If no changes are required, leave this section blank.
Task 2: Conducting your Investigation
Carry out your experiment and collect data which allows a trend to be observed.
- Draw a results table in the to record any measurements you obtained. You may also leave a space in your table for any processing you will do in Task 3.
Task 3: Writing Up your Investigation
Process and interpret your data to allow any trends to be identified and described.
- Calculate the averages and present your data as a graph. Remember to use an appropriate scale and labels.
- Write an interpretation of your data.
- Summarize your findings as a conclusion which answers the hypothesis of the investigation.
- Evaluate your investigation using the following criteria:
a. Identification of any outliers in your data and how they affected the trend.
b. Limitations to the investigation / difficulties faced in collecting your data.
c. Improvements you would make if you could repeat the investigation again.
Best Stain Remover Lab - Writing Up an Investigation Activity:
Students record their predictions and results of the lab activity. Once the activity is finished, discuss the lab activity and answer post-lab questions.
We also provided some of the Resources below for you to use in class. iTeachly Members can access all the content for the activity and the following lesson.
Students must come up with an unanimous answer for each question. Discussing the answers usually, results in some excellent dialogue on this topic.
Here is your Free Content on Writing Up an Investigation!
Writing Up an Investigation - PDFs
- 1-7 Assignment SE - Writing Up an Investigation (FREE)
- 1-7 Assignment TE - Writing Up an Investigation ( Members Only )
- 1-7 Bell Work SE - Writing Up an Investigation (FREE)
- 1-7 Bell Work TE - Writing Up an Investigation ( Members Only )
- 1-7 Exit Quiz SE - Writing Up an Investigation (FREE)
- 1-7 Exit Quiz TE - Writing Up an Investigation ( Members Only )
- 1-7 Guided Notes SE - Writing Up an Investigation (FREE)
- 1-7 Guided Notes TE - Writing Up an Investigation ( Members Only )
- 1-7 Lesson Plan - Writing Up an Investigation ( Members Only )
- 1-7 Online Activities - Writing Up an Investigation ( Members Only )
- 1-7 Slide Show - Writing Up an Investigation (FREE)
Writing Up an Investigation Worksheets - Word Docs & PowerPoints
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Want Access to Everything in the Lab Skills Unit?
Unit 1 – Lab Skills
- 1-1 Lab Equipment
- 1-2 Lab Safety
- 1-3 Lab Procedures
- 1-3a Lab Procedures
- 1-3b Lab Procedures
- 1-4 Making Observations
- 1-5 Measuring
- 1-6 Planning an Investigation
- 1-7 Writing Up an Investigation