An experimental protocol is a complete and ordered description of all the steps necessary to perform an experiment in a reproducible way. It includes the equipment, the settings, the procedures and the precautions. A good protocol allows anyone to reproduce the experiment and obtain comparable results.
Discover FizziQ
How to measure it in class
FizziQ activities provide experimental protocols that students can follow, adapt or design.
Steps:
- Clearly define the objective of the experiment (what do we want to measure/verify?)
- List the necessary equipment (FizziQ sensors, objects, conditions)
- Describe the steps in chronological order
- Specify the parameters to be fixed and those to be measured
- Indicate the precautions and sources of error
- Plan the data processing (graphs, calculations)
Scientific activities on this topic
All FizziQ activities follow a structured protocol (see the activities)
Learn more
Standard structure of a protocol:
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Objective | Scientific question to be resolved |
| Equipment | Exhaustive list |
| Principle | Brief explanation of the method |
| Procedure | Numbered steps |
| Measurements | Quantities to measure, conditions |
| Precautions | Safety, sources of error |
| Analysis | Expected calculations, graphs |
Criteria for a good protocol:
- Reproducible: detailed enough to be repeated
- Precise: numerical values of the parameters
- Logical: steps in order
- Complete: nothing implicit
- Concise: no unnecessary details
The protocol in the scientific method:
Hypothesis → Protocol → Experiment → Results → Analysis → Conclusion
The protocol is the bridge between the hypothesis and the experiment.
Formula
There is no formula for a protocol, but a writing template:
Title: [Experiment name]
Objective: Determine/Verify/Measure…
Equipment:
- Smartphone with FizziQ
- [List of equipment]
Procedure:
- [First step]
- [Second step] …
Measurements:
- Quantity measured: [unit]
- Number of measurements: [n]
Analysis:
- Calculation of…
- Plot of the graph…
Application examples
- Protocol for measuring g by free fall with FizziQ
- Colorimetric titration protocol
- Simple pendulum study protocol
- Sound mapping protocol
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between a protocol and a procedure? A: The procedure is the list of steps. The protocol is more complete: it also includes the objective, the equipment, the precautions and the analysis.
Q: Are FizziQ protocols modifiable? A: Yes! Adapt them to your equipment and your teaching objectives. A protocol is not set in stone.
Q: How do I know if my protocol is good? A: Ask someone to follow it without you. If they can perform the experiment and obtain consistent results, the protocol is successful.
Q: Should the protocol be written before or after the experiment? A: Before! It is an essential reflection phase. It can be refined after a first attempt.
Related concepts
Scientific Hypothesis - Reproducibility - Measurement Uncertainty