how to experiment in college?

golf_beast19

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You have to have two hypotheses, one null, and one to test. The null hypothesis is the one you reject or fail to reject. (Scientifically, you must fail to reject, rather than accept, but we tend to be very accepting of most hypotheses here). If you fail to reject, it can add credence to the test hypothesis, but if you find the evidence doesn't fit, don't force the answer. You don't have to tell anyone about your hypotheses at first, so there is little chance of getting caught at this stage. Review the existing literature and media to determine what field of study might interest you. Eventually you will be comfortable enough to share your hypothesis with some trusted colleagues.Look around. The library here is quite extensive and caters to almost every research interest. Personally, my favorite studies are interdisciplinary.

Next comes defining methodology, which you also may define alone, though adding a partner can stimulate creativity in some. Feel free to ask a librarian or faculty member about standard practices.

Once you have a hypothesis and methodology down, you can go to testing, which is the fun part, and often requires the help of other researchers. You want a vetted group of professionals, though when you get a bit more experience from experimenting with others and on your own, it can be rewarding to penetrate some deep problem with the help of a younger scientist. It can seem daunting to locate your target population, but there are places where various subject groups tend to congregate. A quick google search will set you right.

Many would say that a large sample size is ideal, however certain specialty experiments require a more modest sample size due to the smaller overall population. Locating a suitable population can be a hassle, but we provide tools for that purpose.

Of course, the experiments must be repeatable by others to be valid, so you may have to conduct multiple sessions to get satisfactory results. I highly recommend finding a long-term lab partner who can get to know and appreciate your methods. Make sure you aren't getting stuck in a rut by adding a third, consulting researcher from time to time, or test your hypothesis under different conditions like outside or submerged in water.

Publishing your findings comes last. We are all eagerly waiting to read your Lab Report. It is best to publish in a peer reviewed medium, so anything you post here as a result of your experiments will receive a vigorous and intense review by many experienced professionals. They may ask for further data to verify your results, or, if you're very lucky, offer to do some research with you...

Here at LPSG, Science is fun.

A+ for that response.