AccelePrep for the ACT Test 2nd Edition Student Text

C HAPTER 11 | H YPER P REP S CIENCE • 211

RESEARCH SUMMARY REVIEW AND STRATEGIES

Research Summary passages typically summarize between one and four related experimental studies. This type of passage includes the design, methods, and results of the experiments. A brief introduction may be included to provide additional background information. The experimental results are often illustrated using tables and graphs. Often, experiments are carried out using a model. Models provide •‹’Ž‹ϐ‹‡† ’‹…–—”‡• ‘ˆ –Š‡ ’”‘…‡••‡• ‘……—””‹‰ ‹ ”‡ƒŽ Ž‹ˆ‡Ǥ Š‡ ƒ…–—ƒŽ ˜ƒŽ—‡• of model measurements are meaningless; however, if the model is valid, then the general trends indicated by the data are useful. For example, a model of an eardrum is made by stretching a thin rubber sheet across a round metal hoop. A set of experiments using this model determines how changes in the frequency or loudness of a sound affect the vibration of the rubber sheet. Even though the actual vibration measurements of the model are irrelevant, the pattern of the measured responses suggests why humans hear shriller noises better than lower pitched ones and why they cannot hear dog whistles. Research Summary passages describe the methods used for a given set of experiments and the results of those experiments. If any special information is needed, such as the meaning of a particular chemical test result, that information will be detailed in the experiment description. Additionally, before describing any experiments, a Research Summary passage may review the hypothesis that the experiments are intended to test. Items that correspond to Research Summary passages (and many Data Representation passages) typically address three areas: understanding experimental design, evaluating data, and predicting results.

CLOSER LOOK Here are some common Research Summary questions: 1. Identify the difference in the experimental design of the two experiments. 2. Predict an outcome based on the results of Experiment 2. ͵Ǥ ”‡†‹…– –Š‡ ‘—–…‘‡ of Experiment 1 when one of the variables is altered. 4. Identify an assumption of Experiment 2 based on the results. ͷǤ †‡–‹ˆ› ƒ…‘…Ž—•‹‘ supported by the results of Experiment 1. 6. Select an experiment that should be conducted in order to test another hypothesis. 7. Identify a hypothesis that was investigated in Experiment 1.