Experiment or Descriptive Study

This short, yet concise article give an easy example on how to teach students the difference between an experiment and a descriptive study. It involves a simple activity with water and food... See More

This short, yet concise article give an easy example on how to teach students the difference between an experiment and a descriptive study. It involves a simple activity with water and food coloring. Ultimately students learn that an experiment involves testing a variable and a descriptive study involves simple observation.

An Experiment or a Descriptive Study

This article focuses on the difference between experiments and descriptive studies, both essential to the work of scientists. Students perform both types of activities and use a T chart to ... See More

This article focuses on the difference between experiments and descriptive studies, both essential to the work of scientists. Students perform both types of activities and use a T chart to distinguish the characteristics of both investigations. Their understand is then assessed by determining whether seven different situations are either experimental or descriptive studies. This is a short but useful introduction to both and a deeper understanding of the need for controlled variables in an experiment.