Engineering Design Process
The first step of the engineering design process
Ask (define the problem)
In our science class, do we connect the dots in our scatter plot with a line?
No
A personal prejudice or intentional distortion of data that prevents a scientific investigator from being completely objective
bias
The factor in an experiment that the investigator intentionally changes or manipulates
independant variable
A group problem solving process to generate as many creative ideas
Brainstorming
A smooth line or curve drawn through the scatter plot that illustrates the overall trend of data points
Line/curve of best fit
A specific type of bias that occurs when participants chosen for an experiment do not represent the general population
Sampling error
Factors that must be kept identical through an experiment to show a fair test
Control/Constant Variables
A working model to test how well a design idea actually performs in real life is called a
Prototype
the y axis label for a graph on plant growth in centimetres over the course of 6 months.
Plant Growth (cm)
An example of bias is a graph
truncating y or x axis so small differences seem larger
I testable prediction about the outcome of an investigation, often structured in an "if...then...because" statement
Hypothesis
The main difference between the scientific method and the engineering design process
SM aims to discover knowledge and answer questions about the natural world, EDP aims to create practical solutions to specific problems
The formula for determining axis increments
Grid Increment = Number of Grid Blocks / Data Range
An example of sampling error that could have happened in the rotocoptor lab
Not including everyone's results
The group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment
Control group
What is the process that informs the "because" portion of the hypothesis?
Background research
5 elements of a properly drawn graph
Scatter plot
Descriptive: "Effect of [IV] on [DV]"
Variable Name (Units) e.g., Length (cm)
Spans > 50% grid with even steps
Small points in target circles
Smooth line or curve balancing points
Why a scientific study about bird biodiversity year-round that counted the number of bird species present in spring is biased
Sampling error
This is a summary of an experiment highlighting whether the hypothesis was supported.
Conclusion