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Testing a Claim – Experimental Report Draft Scaffold

Inquiry Question - Which Toilet Paper Brand is the Most Absorbent of Water?

Introduction

1. “Which Toilet Paper Brand is the Most Absorbent of Water?”. Toilet

Paper is the soft (mostly) and useful paper humans use to do their
business in the toilet. Without the invention of Toilet Paper, most
humans would be using other things.
2. The Scientific Principle behind Toilet Paper is its natural tendency
and ability to absorb moisture in all of its plys.
3. It is important to investigate the inquiry question to see if the myth
of School Toilet Paper being objectively worse by a fine margin
and to objectively see which Toilet Paper brand is of the highest
quality.

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Aim:
To see and find out which Toilet Paper brand is the most absorbent of water.

Hypothesis:
It is considered that the School Tork will lose by a big margin. That is the prediction.

Materials:

Write the amounts/ number of equipment used. Be specific with sizes and quantities.
1. Measuring Cylinder
2. Measuring Beaker
3. Toilet Paper (Brands)
4. Ruler
5. Scissors
6. Water
7. Stopwatch
Method:

Method – Variables and Fair Testing:

Before you write your method, identify the following variables to see if your design
has the necessary scientific features

Independent variable
(the one thing you will change) Toilet Paper Brand
Dependent variable
(the thing you will measure & record) Toilet Paper Absorption Rate
Controlled variables
(All the things you will keep the
same during the experiment) Water temperature, Mililitres, Measuring Cylinder,
Measuring Beaker, Strip length, Toilet Paper dipping
time, Stopwatch.
Control experiment

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Method - Procedure:

Now list the step you will take to carry out the experiment. Make sure you incorporate the
items in the Variables table.
1. Layed down toilet paper strips, and place School Tork over the other (Sorbent)
2. Cut exactly 30 centimetres in length on both strips.
3. Dipped both strips in separate Measuring Beakers side by side at 25 mL
4. Timed Stopwatch for 30 seconds and removed Toilet Paper strips and let them ring out.
5. Transferred the water in Measuring Beakers to Measuring Cylinders and measured.

Scientific diagram:

RISK ASSESSMENT:
(Make a table of all the risks associated with the experiment and ways to manage them)
Risk (identify a hazard during the Prevention (what safety procedures can be
experiment) followed to avoid the risks)
1. Water spill. Exercise the appropriate caution and
procedures to prevent.
2.

3.

etc…

E.g.:

Results:
Design a table that can be used to record the results that you are going to measure as part of your
experiment.

1st trial 2nd trial 3rd trial A

Sorbent 13.9 13.5 15.5 15.5

m

School Tork 20.5 19.5 20.7 20.2

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Graph:
Title of graph: Amount of Water Absorbed from Two Toilet Paper Brands

What I measured
(Dependent
Variable)
Amount of
Water
Absorbed
(mL)
(remaining)
(Average)

Sorbent School Tork

What I changed (Independent Variable)
Brand of Toilet
Paper

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Discussion:

1. Describe your results (what did you discover? What are the trends in the
results table/graph?
The trend discovered was as expected. The sorbent always absorbed more water
and had less remaining than the school’s tork toilet paper. The sorbent absorbed
the water at an average of 14.3ml remaining, while the School Tork had an average of 20.2ml
remaining.
2. What do you think the REASON is for the results you obtained? (relate your answer back to the
scientific information from the introduction)
The reason why the results obtained came through like that is because the School Tork, when
compared to Sorbent is less comfortable and soft and is only 1 ply (layer), while in contrast, the
sorbent is 2 or 3 ply, so it naturally absorbs more.

3. What do the results show about the scientific principle you are investigating?
In general, Toilet Paper brands, no matter the toilet paper brand, will absorb more or less water
than others solely from what amount of layers they have and how soft they are.

4. Does your experiment follow Fair Testing principles? Use the question below to help you make
your judgement:

a) Accuracy:
⮚ How accurate were your measurements? Was the best equipment/technology used?

The equipment used to measure the water absorbed was a 25 mL measuring cylinder. This cylinder
had 0.5 mL graduations, which allowed an accuracy to 0.5 of a mL. This was a fairly accurate way of
measuring the water absorbed. There was also a stopwatch used to measure the time of absorption,
which was an accurate way of measuring the time.

b) Reliability:
⮚ did you conduct repeat trials of your experiment?

⮚ If so, how does this improve the quality of your results

The experiment was reliable because each test was done three times for both brands of Toilet Paper
and an average was taken. Each trial was within a 1 mL of each other and provided a more precise
average. The quality of the results were improved by this process and are more trustworthy as a
result.

c) Validity:
⮚ Have one independent variable and one independent variable?

⮚ Did you control all the other variables?

The experiment was valid because our experiment had an independent variable (toilet paper
brand) and a dependent variable (toilet paper water absorption rate). Validity could also be
proven with the fact that all other variables were indeed controlled such as the stopwatch
(time), water temperature and measuring beakers/cylinders.

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 d) Was your experiment a fair test?
(Use your answers about accuracy, reliability and validity to determine if your experiment
was a fair test. Explain why/why not)
The experiment was a fairly fair test. The experiment was made sure to be accurate, reliable
and valid with our measurements, repetition and variables. With all these being looked after,
the experiment came to as fair as possible.

5. If you were to do this experiment again, how could the experiment be improved?
If the experiment was to be repeated again, it would be improved with an additional brand to
truly challenge and inquire which Toilet Paper brand is truly the most absorbent of water.

Conclusion:
An experiment was conducted to discover which of two brands of Toilet Paper was truly the
most absorbent of Water. The results showed that out of the two brands experimented, the
Sorbent dominated the opposition of the School Tork by an average difference of 5.9ml
remaining. The experiment results was finalised in a “remaining” manner, where the least
remaining won, and that by far was the Sorbent. This supports the hypothesis which stated that
“the School Tork will ultimately be the loser” .
The hypothesis was accepted.

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MARKING CRITERIA NAME: _______________________________________________________
Investigating Scientifically (50 marks)

Students: Marks
SC5-4WS4: develops questions or hypotheses to be investigated scientifically
SC5-WS5: produces a plan to investigate identified questions, hypotheses or problems, individually and collaboratively
SC5-WS6: undertakes first-hand investigations to collect valid and reliable data and information, individually and
collaboratively
I Questioning and Predicting
n
v A (9-10)
● develops an inquiry question appropriate for the investigation
e
s ● adequately utilizes research to design an inquiry question, aim and hypothesis making
t
predictions based on scientific knowledge, research and observations
i
g
B (7-8)
a ● The above points are completed adequately
t
i C (5-6)
n ● The above points are completed with limitations
g
D (3-4)
● The above points are completed with severe limitations
S
c
i E (0-2)
● No, or extremely limited completion of the above points
e
n Planning investigations
t
i A (16-20)
f ● appropriate selection of materials to achieve the inquiry question with accuracy
i
c ● outlines a logical procedure for undertaking their investigation to collect valid, reliable and
a accurate first-hand data
l ● plans appropriate investigation methods to collect reliable data which includes fair testing,
l
y showing an excellent understanding of variables
● procedure is recorded accurately including a correct scientific diagram

B (12-15)
● The above points are completed adequately

C (9-12)
● The above points are completed with limitations

D (5-8)
● The above points are completed with severe limitations

E (0-4)
● No, or extremely limited completion of the above points

Conducting investigations

A (16-20)
● Correct and safe use of equipment while conducting the investigation

● Addresses issues that arise during conduction of experiment by solving them quickly

● evaluates the effectiveness of the planned procedure and suggests improvements, Modifying
the method or investigation appropriately to address emerging needs
● A thorough analysis of the risks and hazards shown, including appropriate ways of reducing
risks shown
● records observations and measurements accurately, using appropriate units

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 B (12-15)
● The above points are completed adequately

C (9-12)
● The above points are completed with limitations

D (5-8)
● The above points are completed with severe limitations

E (0-4)
● No, or extremely limited completion of the above points

Investigating Scientifically /50

Students: Marks
SC5-WS7: processes, analyses and evaluates data from first-hand investigations and secondary sources to develop
evidence-based arguments and conclusions
SC5-WS8: applies scientific understanding and critical thinking skills to suggest possible solutions to identified
problems
SC5-WS9: presents science ideas and evidence for a particular purpose and to a specific audience, using appropriate
scientific language, conventions and representations
C Processing and analysing data and information
o
m A (25-30)
● Constructs the most suitable table to record and organise data
m
u ● Constructs the most appropriate graph to represent the data and express relationships
n
i clearly. The graph is constructed correctly.
c
● Summarises the data from the investigation with sophistication and shows relationships
a
t clearly and succinctly between the results and the graph
i
● Correctly extracts information from the constructed tables and graphs, succinctly
n
g summarising trends and findings
● Thoroughly explains what the results show about the experiment and explains the
S
c scientific concepts behind the investigation in detail.
i
e ● Discusses the errors/problems/inaccuracies encountered in doing the investigation and
n provides a method to overcome them
t
i ● Assesses the method used and identifies improvements to the method describes specific
f ways to improve the experiment and the quality of the data collected
i
c ● Makes a valid conclusion that is related to the aim, results and hypothesis.
a
l B (19-24)
● The above points are completed adequately
l
y
C (13-18)
● The above points are completed with limitations

D (7-12)
● The above points are completed with severe limitations

E (0-6)
● No, or extremely limited completion of the above points

Communicating

A (16-20)
● The scientific report links back to the scientific concepts and research where appropriate,

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 including real world applications
● Presents ideas, findings and solutions to problems using appropriate scientific language
and terminology
● All data, images, drawings, tables, graphs are clearly and succinctly presented.

● Sophisticated use of digital technologies where appropriate

● The report is well presented and includes all required sections of the report

B (12-15)
● The above points are completed adequately

C (8-11)
● The above points are completed with limitations

D (5-7)
● The above points are completed with severe limitations

E (0-4)
● No, or extremely limited completion of the above points

Communicating Scientifically (50 marks)

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 Total
Investigating Scientifically /50
Communicating scientifically /50

Total
(Final Mark) /100

Communicating Scientifically /50

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