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Hypothesis and Variables

The document discusses key concepts for designing scientific experiments, including testable questions, hypotheses, variables, and controls. Specifically, it defines a hypothesis as a testable explanation for an observation that predicts the relationship between an independent (manipulated) variable and dependent (responding) variable. An experiment must have a control to compare the results of the independent variable. Well-designed hypotheses and proper identification of variables and controls allow relationships to be measured and conclusions to be drawn from experiments.

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1K views12 pages

Hypothesis and Variables

The document discusses key concepts for designing scientific experiments, including testable questions, hypotheses, variables, and controls. Specifically, it defines a hypothesis as a testable explanation for an observation that predicts the relationship between an independent (manipulated) variable and dependent (responding) variable. An experiment must have a control to compare the results of the independent variable. Well-designed hypotheses and proper identification of variables and controls allow relationships to be measured and conclusions to be drawn from experiments.

Uploaded by

Sof Valdes4
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Testable Question

A testable question is one that can be


answered by designing and conducting an
experiment.
The answers to a testable question can be
observed and measured.
Hypothesis

●  Hypothesis- a testable explanation of


an observation.

●  A hypothesis is NOT just an educated


guess about what you think will happen.
It must be based on research AND be
able to be tested!
Elements of a Hypothesis

A hypothesis should:

●  Define the proposed relationship between


the variables.
●  Worded so it can be tested
●  Make a clear prediction
●  Be specific
Variables & Controls

●  A variable is anything that changes in a


scientific experiment.

●  The control is what you use to compare


the results to in the end of the experiment.
There are 2 types of variables:
●  Independent (also known as manipulated)
●  Dependent (also known as responding)
Independent Variable

Independent Variable: The variable that is


intentionally changed in the experiment, such
as the temperature of the water in which an
effervescent tablet is dissolved.

●  Cause
●  a.k.a Manipulated Variable
●  Graphed on x axis
Dependent Variable
Dependent Variable: the
variable that responds to the
changes in the independent
variable. For example, the time it
takes for effervescent tablets to
dissolve in three different 2 min 20 sec 1 min
temperatures of water is the
dependent variable.

●  Effect
●  a.k.a Responding
Variable
●  Graphed on y axis
Independent Variable vs. Dependent
Variable

Independent Dependent
Variable Variable
Also Known Manipulated Responding
As: Variable Variable

Results: Cause Effect

On a graph: X axis Y axis


Controlled Variables

Controlled variables (AKA constants) are the


things that are kept the same each time one of the
trials in the experiment is repeated.

For example, constants could include the amount of


water used, the brand of effervescent tablet used, the
type of water used, and the fact that the water was
not stirred. As many outside factors as possible
should be kept constant in an experiment so that the
researcher can be sure that any changes that occur
do so because of the independent variable.
Control Group
The standard against which the
researcher compares the results from
each treatment group in the experiment.

For example, the control might be the


room temperature water, which is about
20° C.
In many cases, there will not be a true
control. The researcher could then set
one of the groups as the standard and
measure the other groups against that
standard.
Using variables to write a
hypothesis
If fertilizer helps grow
larger plants, and a •  States the relationship
between the variables
plant is given
fertilizer, •  Manipulated variable

then it will be larger •  Responding variable


than a plant that
does not receive
fertilizer.

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