Module 5
Experimental Design and Reproducibility
Competency: Critique elements of experimental design and reporting for reproducibility and validity
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the steps of the scientific method
- Describe the characteristics of quality scientific research
- Explain current threats to quality scientific research including lack of reproducibility, faulty experimental design, and pressure to publish
- Describe experimental design factors that impact experiment reproducibility
- Identify reporting factors that impact experimental reproducibility
- Identify steps researchers take to increase the validity of results
- Identify strategies for applying the 3 Rs to improve research design and validity
Assessment: Case Study: Forced Swim Test
- Identify the control, independent, and dependent variables
- List steps taken to increase the validity of results
- Correlate the study to the 10 essential ARRIVE guidelines
- Identify potential limitations of the experimental design
- Consider data from subsequent human study applications draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the animal study
Download Materials
Lesson plan, worksheets, and activities (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Presentations:
The Scientific Method and Experimental Design
(PowerPoint, 16.3 MB)
Considerations for Well-Designed Animal Experiments
(PowerPoint, 36.8 MB)
Linked External Standards:
CCSS – ELA
RST.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.
RST.11-12.8 Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of information.
RST.11-12.9 Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible.
W.9-10.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS - Math
HSN-Q.A.1 Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays