Question

As part of an experiment to measure decomposition rates of different materials, students put food scraps from the cafeteria in compost bin A and leaves and grass clippings in compost bin B for six weeks. Students in first period measured the temperature in bin A, and students in sixth period measured the temperature in bin B. What is the greatest error in the students' experimental design?

Answer 1

The greatest error in the students' experimental design is that they measured the temperature in compost bin A during first period and in compost bin B during sixth period. This introduces a confounding variable of time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The greatest error in the students' experimental design is that they measured the temperature in compost bin A during first period and in compost bin B during sixth period. This introduces a confounding variable of time. Temperature can vary throughout the day, so measuring at different times can lead to inaccurate results. To improve the design, students should have measured the temperature in both bins at the same time.

Answer 2

The greatest error in the experimental design is that the temperature of both bins were taken at different times from each other. The students should have measured them at the same time to lessen the randomness of the variables. A way to "fix" this is by changing taking into account the extra time between bin A was and bin B was measured for bin B's calculations.