What must a valid conclusion be based on?

• A. The result of at least three repeats.
• B. Data from the experiment and sound reasoning consistent with the design.
• C. The hypothesis being proven at all costs.
• D. The most dramatic graph.

Answer: (B)

A valid conclusion comes from what you actually observe in the experiment and the reasoning that links those observations to the plan you followed. It should be based on the data you collected and explained in a way that fits the experimental design, showing how the results support or challenge the idea you started with. Repeating experiments helps show reliability, but simply repeating results doesn’t by itself make a conclusion valid; the conclusion must be grounded in the data and justified by logical reasoning. Don’t try to prove the hypothesis at all costs or rely on the most dramatic graph—present the findings honestly and focus on how the data leads to your conclusion, including any uncertainties or limitations.