I need help with my biology science experiment for my juniocert using daffodils?

im kinda conufsed of how to write it up the bilology experiment for my junior cert..

the experimnet is to test which of 3 substances [one being comercial flower food] prolongs plant life longest.



i chose vingear and mouthwash as my other 2 substances and the other 2 containers are a control of water and the commercial feeder.



each container has 8 daffodils..



The following are the headings I need help with:

(1) Statement/Investigation of the problem/Topic to be investigated

(2) Background Research

(3) Identify any relevant variables and necessary controls

(4) List of equipment needed for the investigation



helpppp =]

I need help with my biology science experiment for my juniocert using daffodils?
These headings are the basic components of a standard scientific paper, which normally goes Abstract, Introduction, Method and Materials, Discussion (and also references).



Here you are just being asked to describe basic details abotu the experiment.



1. The most important thing to start with when you do an experiment. What are you investigating/testing? What is the purpose of the experiment? You either have a specific hypothesis that you are testing or a general statement about what you're trying to do.



So if you have a particular hypothesis you would something like

"The aim of the experiment was to see if vinegar is more effective than water in prolonging plant life" or

"It was hypothesised that mouthwash would have a beneficial effect on plant lifespan."



On the other hand, if you don't have a specific hypothesis just a general one you would say something like

"The aim of the experiment was to investigate the influence of different substances on plant lifespan", or

"The experiment was conducted to compare the efficacy of a variety of substances on prolonging plant life as compared to water"

This would normally go at the end of your Abstract (summary)

I don't know how picky they are at JC level but generally try and avoid using I/we in science reports.



2. Background Research (or Introduction) is just any information you have found that is relevant to the experiment (in later times this would include research other people have done). For example, what kind of nutrition do daffodils need? What substances are poisonous to them? What chemicals are in vinegar and mouthwash and what effect are these chemicals known to have on living things? What normally kills plants? What factors influence their lifespan and are any of these factors involved here?



3. Variables are any variations in the experiment that may affect the outcome. Some of the things you find out in the previous section will be variables as well but they may not be relevant. E.g. factors that influence the lifespan of a daffodil in a garden.

Things that are relevant here would be the soil use, the size of the pots, number of flowers in each pot and the conditions each pot is under (light, air etc...). All these factors have to be standardised in a valid experiment so that the only factor that can affect the result is the one you're changing (ie substance added).

Your control here is water.



4. List of equipment (Generally part of Materials and Methods)

What did you use to do the experiment? Be specific with sizes and types of stuff, e.g. the soil, the pots, the brand of mouthwash etc. You have to give someone all the information they would need to exactly replicate your experiment.



Hope that helps! Feel free to email me any time if you have science questions :)