PLANNINGEXPERIMENTINGPRESENTING
Step 1Step 1aStep 1bStep 1cStep 1dStep 2Step 2aStep 2bStep 2cStep 3Step 3aStep 3bStep 3cStep 4Step 5Step 5aStep 5bStep 5cStep 5dStep 5eStep 6Step 6aStep 6bStep 7Step 7aStep 7bStep 7cStep 7dStep 8Step 9Step 10Step 11Step 12

Step 7C: Writing up your conclusions

Your conclusion should revisit the purpose of your experiment and hypothesis in light of your data analysis. Make sure you address your original question or problem when you interpret your data. Your conclusions should be valid (that is, logical) and limited to the results of the experiment.

Evaluate your data. Explain the effect of experimental error or any procedural changes on your results. Were there variables you couldn’t control for, such as age or other characteristics?  Why is this information (your data analysis) important or significant? What is the relevance of your data to everyday life? Science is a process that doesn’t only try to answer a question but generates more questions. What new questions do you have as a result of your experiment?

Does your data support your hypothesis or not? If your hypothesis is incorrect, think about the reasons why this might have happened. This doesn’t mean you didn’t carry out your experiment correctly. Revisit your notes. Did you change anything about the procedure and materials that could explain what happened?

Tip: Use the worksheets you have been completing along the way to refresh your memory about your library research and procedure as you write your conclusion. These worksheets will be helpful when it is time to put together your Science Project Paper.