The Scientific Method

For any controlled scientific study, a scientist starts with an observation, does some research to develop a hypothesis, and then designs an experiment that compares some baseline group with a test group. Data are then collected to confirm or refute the hypothesis.

As you review the following study, consider whether the researchers correctly followed the scientific method.

In the late 1990s, gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield, along with a research team, set out to determine if bowel disease caused by vaccines led to autism.

He compiled a group of 12 children who had loss of acquired skills, developmental delays in language, diarrhea, and abdominal pain-essentially, those with both bowel disease and autism. He questioned each parent about the behavior and personality of the child before the child was vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. He then ran tests on the children to determine the health of the gastrointestinal tract, brain, and nervous system.

His reported data (tabulated below) included that children experienced either gastrointestinal or autism-like symptoms, sometimes within a short period after being vaccinated. From these data, the researchers concluded that there was no link between autism and the MMR vaccine. Wakefield though, contradicted this conclusion and stated that the vaccine caused changes in the gastrointestinal tract of the children, which then led to autism (Wakefield, et al., 1998). Currently, he still contends that the MMR vaccine contributes to autism (Ziv, 2015).

Many researchers tried to duplicate this study and could not replicate Wakefield's results. In fact, they found no link between the vaccines, bowel disease, and autism. In the United Kingdom, the MMR vaccine was not introduced until 1988. If Wakefield's conclusions were correct, one would then expect a jump in autism cases after 1988, but this was not observed, even when hundreds of children were studied (Taylor et al., 1999). In these additional studies, children who had not been vaccinated were included as a control group, and no difference in the rates of autism was observed.

In 2011, Brian Deer reviewed Wakefield's study and all available records from the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom for these 12 children. He found that at most, two children showed symptoms days after vaccinations. At least five children showed developmental delays before being vaccinated. Six out of the 12 children may have had autism symptoms. None of the 12 children tested had all three-regressive autism, colitis, and symptoms days after vaccination.

Symptom	Wakefield	Wakefield NHS Records (Deer)
Symptoms days after vaccination	8	2?
Non-specific colitis	12	3
Regressive autism	9	6?
Intestinal/autism/symptoms after vaccine	12	0

(Wakefield, et al., 1998; Deer, 2011)

Wakefield's statements led to a worldwide panic about the safety of vaccines, but after Deer's report, Wakefield's study was retracted and his medical license was revoked for falsifying data. Click on the following links to review materials to enhance your knowledge of the scientific method and to support your analysis of Wakefield's experiment:

Steps of the Scientific Method: A simplified explanation of how the scientific method works, the steps taken to investigate phenomenon with diagrams

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?: A review of research demonstrating that vaccines and their components are not the cause of autism

Fifteen years after a vaccine scare, a measles epidemic: An analysis of vaccination trends and an increase in measles cases seen the UK

Answer the following 4 questions:

What was wrong with Wakefield's study? Discuss at least 1 variable or approach that should have been controlled or assessed.

Consider the source of some of his data (parental memory, for example), the small sample size, and whether he considered other variables (genetics, diet, and so on) that could have resulted in symptoms in these children.

Discuss the importance of a control group when using the scientific method.

Did Wakefield deserve to be barred from medical practice?

What were the consequences of his inflated conclusions?

THIS IS A LAB REPORT THAT I NEED HELP WITH I NEED HELP WITH ANSWERING THE POST LAB QUESITON THAT IS ALL THE WAY IN THE BOTTOM PLEASE HELP ME ANSWER THE POST LAB QUESTIONS THANK YOU! THE PRE LAB I HAVE ALREADY DONE BTW!

Determination of Cobalt (II) Chloride

by UV/VIS Spectroscopy

Introduction

The absorption of specific quantities of electromagnetic (light) radiation by an element or compound allows electrons to move from lower energy level to a higher energy level. We say that the energy levels are quantized. Electrons, returning to lower energy levels, will release energy within the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelengths may be in the ultraviolet, visible, or infra red regions of the spectrum. For cobalt (II) chloride, the compound of study, the visible region, of the spectrum will be addressed.

By knowing the wavelength (l) or frequency (n) of radiation, one may determine the energy of the transition. Relationship between energy, wavelength and frequency are:

c= ln and E= hn or E= hc/l

The light radiation absorbed in a solution of this salt is proportional to its concentration through a relationship provided by the Beer-Lambert Law:

A = kC

where A= absorbance, k is Beerâs Law constant, and C is the molar concentration in solution.

The absorbance (A), a unit-less number is dependant on the quantity of light energy absorbed and transmitted by the solution through the following equation:

A= -log T or A = 2-log %T

where T= transmittance= I/I⁰ where I is the absorbed light and I⁰ is the impinging light source.

Purpose

The purpose of this laboratory experiment is to practice, learn and carefully prepare molar solutions to investigate the relationship of concentration and spectrophotometer response. A 0.150 M solution of cobalt (II) chloride will be provided. You will prepare diluted solutions through the serial dilution method, measure the transmittance and calculate the absorbance values. You will prepare a Beerâs law graph of data; molar concentration vs. absorbance. Then determine Beerâs law constant using Microsoft Excel program.

You will also be given a concentrated sample of cobalt (II) chloride of unknown concentration and you must determine the appropriate dilution to prepare and thereafter determine the unknown concentration.

Procedure

In order to carry out this analysis procedure, it will be necessary to determine the wavelength of transition. Recall, that one specific energy maximum exists for each transition. We will study the transition in the range of 400- 600 nanometers (nm). This is the visible region of the spectrum.

Step 1. Prepare the following solution concentrations using the 0.150 M cobalt (II) chloride stock solution, 18 mm x 150 mm test tubes and Mohr pipets.

TABLE 1

Solution No.	0.150 M CoCl₂ (mL)	Volume water (mL)
1	5.0	0.0
2	4.0	1.0
3	3.5	1.5
4	3.0	2.0
5	2.5	2.5
6	2.0	3.0
7	1.0	4.0

Step 2. Carefully place a cork or rubber stopper over each solution and mix the contents.

Step 3. Measure the transmittance of a 0.150M solution between 400 nm and 600 nm at 25 nm intervals.

To accomplish this, follow these steps:

Caution: instruments are delicate. If you are uncertain about instrument operation, ask your instructor for assistance. (Instructions on instrument operation- see next page.)

SPECTRONIC is a registered trademark of Spectronic Instruments, Inc.

Instrument operation- edited version of product ^*Operatorâs Manual

Transmittance and Absorbance

1. Turn on the instrument by turning the Power Switch (10) clockwise. Allow the spectro-photometer to warm up for at least 15 minutes to stabilize.

2. After the warm-up period, set the desired wavelength with the Wavelength Control Knob.

3. Set the filter lever to the appropriate position for the selected wavelength (not required for SPECTRONICÂ® 20D).

4. Adjust the display to 0%T with the Zero Control (10). Make sure that the sample compartment is empty and the cover is closed.

5. Set the display mode to TRANSMITTANCE by pressing the MODE control key until the appropriate LED is lit.

6. Fill a clean cell with water and wipe the cell with a tissue (Kimwipe^TM) to remove liquid droplets, dust and fingerprints.

7. Place the cell in the sample compartment and align the guide mark on the cell with the guide mark at the front of the sample compartment. Press the cell firmly into the sample compartment and close the lid.

8. Carefully adjust the display to 100%T with the Transmittance/Absorbance Control (9). Move the knob slowly as you approach 100%T.

9. Remove the cell from the sample compartment and empty the water.

10. Rinse the cell twice with small volumes of the solution to be measured and fill it with the solution.

11. Wipe the cell with a tissue and insert the cell into the sample compartment. Align the guide marks and close the lid.

12. Read the appropriate value (%T) from the display.

13. Remove the cell from the sample compartment and repeat steps 10 through 12 for any remaining sample solutions.

14. When all measurements are completed, turn off the spectrophotometer by turning the Power Switch counterclockwise until it clicks.

Step 4. Using solution no. 1, follow the directions for instrument operation and record (%) transmittance values for each wavelength in Table 2.

Remember to reset the instrument to 100% for each wavelength investigated.

DO NOT DISCARD THIS SOLUTION,

Step 5. The wavelength that gives the largest absorbance value will provide the greatest sensitivity to concentration change. Generate an Excel graph of wavelength (x) vs. absorbance (y) using these values. At zero absorbance, there isnât any CoCl₂ so donât forget to include the (0,0) data point. Connect your data points with a smooth curve. This is the absorption spectrum of aqueous CoCl₂. Submit this with your lab report.

Step 6. Reset your spectrometer using this wavelength (step 5), and measure this solution and the other six solutions listed in Table 1, and record your % transmittance values in Table 3.

TABLE 2

Wavelength (nm)	% Transmittance	Absorbance
400
425
450
475
500
525
550
575
600

MAXIMUM ABSORBANCE IS LOCATED AT ________________nm.

TABLE 3 -Results measured at ______nm.

Test tube No.	% Transmittance	Absorbance	Molarity(M)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Step 7. Plot a graph of Molarity (M) vs. Absorbance for all seven solutions using Excel plotting techniques. This is called a calibration curve, whereby one establishes a measured response to a known solution concentration. Determine the slope of the line and include the linear equation of fit, and the correlation coefficient.

Recall the relationship A = kC or y = mx + b; where b is the (0,0) data point

Then: k = A/C

Step 8. The unknown solution to be analyzed is more concentrated than any of the standard solution concentrations that were measured to prepare the calibration curve.

Points to consider:

You must achieve a dilution such that the absorbance is within the absorbance range of the standards that were previously measured.

By using serial dilutions, will multiply many errors; thus it is best to obtain a dilution is one-step if possible.

Consider reducing the concentration by Â¾, or by Â½, and by Â¼ or to 0.10 of the original concentration and test the solution to see if the absorbance response is within range. You may also consider using the dilutions in Table 1. Once this is determined, proceed to the next step. Complete the dilution table for the diluted concentrations you prepared:

Trial	mL of unknown	mL of water	(%T)	A
1
2
3

Step 9. Using the desired dilutions, determined in step 8, measure two of the diluted solutions and record the measured transmittances in Table 4.

UNKNOWN NUMBER __________

TABLE 4

Diluted concentration (M)	Transmittance (%T)	Absorbance (A)

Calculation of absorbance, for diluted Unknown solution:

Step 10. Determine the concentration of the diluted solution using the linear equation of fit, knowing the absorbance and k, the slope of the line.

C = A/ k

Step 11: Determine the concentration in your original Unknown solution. Show your

back-calculation below to support your final answer to this experiment.

Calculations:

Unknown Solution No. ________ Concentration: ___________M

Prelab Questions

1. Consider a solution of 0.400M Co(NO₃)₂ provided by your lab instructor.

You are required to make the following dilute concentrations:

0.160M and 0.240M solutions. You are provided the following glassware: 5.0 mL Mohr pipet and 18 mm x 150 mm test tubes. Describe how you would prepare each solution, and support your description with your calculations. (Recall (M_c x V_c = M_d x V_d) where M_c is the molarity of the concentrated solution, V_c is the volume of the concentrated solution, M_d is the molarity of the dilute solution, and Vd is the volume of the diluted solution.)

Given 0.400 M Co(NO3)2 solution.

Lets say we pipette out 5 mL of this solution and dilute it to get 0.160 M solution. Then

Using, Mc x Vc = Md x Vd

0.400 x 5 = 0.160 x Vd or Vd= (0.400 x 5)/0.160 = 12.5 mL

Thus we need to add 7.5mL distilled water to 5 mL of cobalt nitrate. Since we are only provided with a 5 mL pipette, we can only measure out volumes in multiple of 5.

thus pipette out (5 x 2) 10 mL of cobalt nitrate solution in the test tube and dilute it by addition of (7.5 x2) 15 mL of distilled water.

Again for preparing 0.240 M solution

Lets say we pipette out 5 mL of this solution and dilute it to get 0.160 M solution. Then

Using, Mc x Vc = Md x Vd

0.400 x 5 = 0.240 x Vd or Vd= (0.400 x 5)/0.240 = 8.33 mL

Thus we need to add 3.33mL distilled water to 5 mL of cobalt nitrate. Again taking volumes only in multiples of 5, pipette out (5 x 3) 15 mL of cobalt nitrate solution in the test tube and dilute it by addition of (3.33 x3) 10 mL of distilled water.

2. In your own words, explain, in detail, what you will be learning during this lab. Address the chemical principles and, laboratory skills, in your answer.

Post - Lab Questions:

a) Letâs say, for a given concentration of salt solution, the maximum response at a wavelength maximum of 485nm, is 0.750. If an unknown solution is analyzed at a longer or shorter wavelength would the investigator obtain the same concentration for the Unknown solution? Explain why.

b) List all possible sources of errors that may result in this experiment.

THE ONE IN ITALICS AND BOLD IS THE PRELAB QUESTION PLEASE ANSWER THAT. PLEASE HELP ME ANSWER THE POST LAB QUESTIONS. I did THE PRE LAB. I ALSO FILLED in the tables.

Determination of Cobalt (II) Chloride

by UV/VIS Spectroscopy

Introduction

The absorption of specific quantities of electromagnetic (light) radiation by an element or compound allows electrons to move from lower energy level to a higher energy level. We say that the energy levels are quantized. Electrons, returning to lower energy levels, will release energy within the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelengths may be in the ultraviolet, visible, or infra red regions of the spectrum. For cobalt (II) chloride, the compound of study, the visible region, of the spectrum will be addressed.

By knowing the wavelength (l) or frequency (n) of radiation, one may determine the energy of the transition. Relationship between energy, wavelength and frequency are:

c= ln and E= hn or E= hc/l

The light radiation absorbed in a solution of this salt is proportional to its concentration through a relationship provided by the Beer-Lambert Law:

A = kC

where A= absorbance, k is Beerâs Law constant, and C is the molar concentration in solution.

The absorbance (A), a unit-less number is dependant on the quantity of light energy absorbed and transmitted by the solution through the following equation:

A= -log T or A = 2-log %T

where T= transmittance= I/I⁰ where I is the absorbed light and I⁰ is the impinging light source.

Purpose

The purpose of this laboratory experiment is to practice, learn and carefully prepare molar solutions to investigate the relationship of concentration and spectrophotometer response. A 0.150 M solution of cobalt (II) chloride will be provided. You will prepare diluted solutions through the serial dilution method, measure the transmittance and calculate the absorbance values. You will prepare a Beerâs law graph of data; molar concentration vs. absorbance. Then determine Beerâs law constant using Microsoft Excel program.

You will also be given a concentrated sample of cobalt (II) chloride of unknown concentration and you must determine the appropriate dilution to prepare and thereafter determine the unknown concentration.

Procedure

In order to carry out this analysis procedure, it will be necessary to determine the wavelength of transition. Recall, that one specific energy maximum exists for each transition. We will study the transition in the range of 400- 600 nanometers (nm). This is the visible region of the spectrum.

Step 1. Prepare the following solution concentrations using the 0.150 M cobalt (II) chloride stock solution, 18 mm x 150 mm test tubes and Mohr pipets.

TABLE 1

Solution No.	0.150 M CoCl₂ (mL)	Volume water (mL)
1	5.0	0.0
2	4.0	1.0
3	3.5	1.5
4	3.0	2.0
5	2.5	2.5
6	2.0	3.0
7	1.0	4.0