This document provides guidance on designing an experiment for a research project. It discusses that experiments involve consciously manipulating aspects of a system and observing the effects. It should describe the location, design of the experiment including number of replications and sampling procedures, materials used including sources, and statistical analysis methods. The methodology section should provide enough detail that another researcher could understand and potentially repeat the experiment.

1. DESIGNING THE
EXPERIMENT
Grade 7 Research

2. OBJECTIVE
To be able to design a relevant
experiment using integrated
process skills.

3. Experimentation
In scientific research, is often deemed
as an ‘integral part’. According to
Carpi and Egger (2008), it is unique in
that it involves the conscious
manipulation of certain aspects of a
real system and the observation of the
effects of that manipulation.

4. Plan the research design and
procedure.
Decide the research design
based on the nature of the
research problem or issue being
addressed.

5. Three types of Research Design

6. CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
The purpose of this section is to present in
a simple and direct manner what has been
done, how, and when, and how the data
were analyzed and presented. This section
should provide all the information needed
to allow another researcher to judge the
study or actually repeat the experiment.

7. CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
The simplest way to organize this
section is chronologically; include all
necessary information, but avoid
unnecessary details that the readers
are supposed (ought) to know.

8. The section should include the following
though not necessarily in this order:
 Description of the study location
(climate, soil—by US Soil Taxonomy
and/ or FAO system, vegetation, etc.,
to the extent such information is
relevant to the study)

9. The section should include the following
though not necessarily in this order:
Design of the experiment with number
of replications and sampling
procedures used.

10. The section should include the following
though not necessarily in this order:
Plants or animals involved, with exact
descriptions (genus, species, strain,
cultivar, line, etc.); include Latin
names in italics, even for common
plants, upon first mention in text
(e.g., maize or corn, Zea mays L.)

11. The section should include the following
though not necessarily in this order:
Materials used, with exact technical
specifications and quantities and their
source or method of preparation. Generic
or chemical names are better than trade
names, which may not be universally
recognized. Some journals as well as
companies require that the company’s
name is included in parentheses after the
material is mentioned

12. The section should include the following
though not necessarily in this order:
Statistical and mathematical
procedures used to analyze and
summarize the data.

13. Methods followed should be described,
usually in chronological order, with as
much precision and detail as
necessary.

14. Standard methods need only be
mentioned, or may be described by
reference to the literature as long as it
is readily available. Modifications of
standard techniques should be
described. If the method is new it
should be described in detail. Do not
include excessive description of
common procedures.

15. The Materials and Methods section is
presented in past tense. There is no
standard ‘‘rule’’ on the use of active
or passive forms (‘‘I/we took ten
samples’’ vs. ‘‘Ten samples were
taken’’); follow the journal’s norms,
and if the journal is not strict about it,
use your personal preference

16. Get ready to design your experiment!!