Experimental Design
Knowing how to effectively design your experiments will not only save you
time and effort, but it will allow you to be better able to actually answer
the question you want to ask.
The APS
and the Association of Chairs of
Departments of Physiology recommend that trainees understand the
importance of and work to develop the following problem experimental
design skills:
|
a. |
Knowledge of the scientific method to
organize and test ideas and hypotheses |
|
b. |
Ability to recognize meaningful
problems and questions for research |
|
c. |
Ability to define the problem
precisely |
|
d. |
Knowledge of different research
methodologies |
|
e. |
Ability to select appropriate
instruments to acquire data |
|
f. |
Skill in designing experimental
protocols, including appropriate use and number of experimental subjects |
|
g. |
Understanding of the principles and
procedures for institutional approval for use of animal/human subjects |
|
h. |
Skill in evaluating experimental
evidence |
|
i. |
Ability to draw conclusions from data
(data analysis) |
(from the APS/ACDP
List of Professional Skills for Physiologists and Trainees)
Here are
a variety of web sites with information that you
might find useful.*
Scientific Method
APPENDIX E: Introduction to the Scientific Method
Frank Wolfs, University of Rochester
Research Methods Tutorials
William M.K. Trochim, Cornell University
The Scientific Method
J. Stein Carter, University of Cincinnati
The Whole Art of Deduction: Research Skills for New Scientists
Rodger Marion, The University of Texas Medical Branch
This Is The Scientific Method
Norman W. Edmund
Back to Index
Defining the Question
Defining a Research Problem
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney
Developing a
Research Question
Empire State College, State University of New York
Defining
Your Research Question
Geoff Soutar, ANZMAC Doctoral Colloquium, Queensland University of
Technology, Australia
Formulating a Research Question
The Research Assistant, Danya International, Inc.
The Research Problem
Mike Kroelinger, Arizona State University
Back to Index
Data Acquisition
Choosing a Methodology: Fitness for Purpose
hydi Educational New Media Centre, Massey University
Research
Methodologies
The Centre for Teaching and Learning, University College Dublin
Back to Index
Experimental Protocols
Experimentation
Department of Statistics, Yale University
Procedures in Sampling
William M.K. Trochim, Cornell University
Seven Resources for Young Scientists
Desmond Wong,
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
See also Use of Human/Animal Subjects
Back to Index
Evaluating Data
Chapter 3. Experimental Errors and Error Analysis
from Mathematica. Experimental Data Analyst
Wolfram Research, Inc.
Experimental Errors
and Data Analysis
J.C. de Paula, Haverford College
Laboratory 0: Error Analysis
from Virtual Labs, Real Data
Cornell University
Measurement Errors
Appendix A: Handling Measurements
from Doing Science: An Introduction to Physical Science
Susan Wyckoff, Arizona State University
Back to Index
Drawing Conclusions
Drawing Conclusions
Rodger Marion, The University of Texas Medical Branch
Pitfalls
of Data Analysis
Clay Helberg, University of Wisconsin Schools of Nursing and Medicine
Quantitative Research Methods
Electronic Resources for Research Methods, InformationR.net
The Prism Guide to Interpreting Statistical Results
GraphPad.com
Using Statistics to Compare Groups
B. Baldwin, Southeastern Louisiana University
Back to Index
*APS does not endorse or assume responsibility for the information posted
on these web sites.
Back to Developing Your Skills
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