Scientific Data Collection Analysis

John Fisher
Rend Lake College

Course

General Chemistry (Chemistry 101)

This module will have interdisciplinary applications to any course involving the collection and analysis of scientific data.

Description

Using a Labworks II-100 computer interface, a thermometer probe, and accompanying software, students are able to acquire lab data much faster and in greater amounts and with greater precision than is possible using traditional methods normally found in introductory science labs. This frees up more time for the student to analyze and interpret the data. This leads to greater understanding. Students may choose from two data collection procedures:

1. E-Z Program function which is a preprogrammed procedure that is applicable for most experiments.
2. Build and Edit Experiment function, which allows students and/or instructors to write simple or complex programs without knowledge of the inner working of the Labworks interface hardware. All of the commands and instructions are selected from "point and click" menus, eliminating the possibility of syntax errors. Analysis also is carried out via simple point and click command menus, which allows data to be presented via statistical analysis, spreadsheet, and/or graph (bar-line-scatter). The software allows data to be saved to a file during the execution of the experiment and then later retrieved for calculations, graphing, and spread sheeting.