Scribd
Upload
5 views20 pages

Variables

The document explains the concepts of independent, dependent, and control variables in experiments, emphasizing the importance of controlling variables for fair testing. It distinguishes between experimental and control groups, providing examples to illustrate these concepts. Additionally, it covers the difference between observations and inferences, highlighting how observations can be qualitative or quantitative.

Uploaded by

surisakshi88
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views20 pages

Variables

The document explains the concepts of independent, dependent, and control variables in experiments, emphasizing the importance of controlling variables for fair testing. It distinguishes between experimental and control groups, providing examples to illustrate these concepts. Additionally, it covers the difference between observations and inferences, highlighting how observations can be qualitative or quantitative.

Uploaded by

surisakshi88
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 20

Variables, observations

and inferences
Learning Intentions

► Identify the independent, dependent and control


variables of an experiment
► Distinguish between an experiment and control
group
► Distinguish between an observation and an
inference
What are variables?
► Scientists ask questions to find out more about
the world.
► To answer these questions scientists do
experiments.
► During experiments, factors that can change are
called variables.
► There are 3 types of variables.
1. Independent variable
2. Dependent variable
3. Control variables
The variables
In an experiment, the effect of changing just one variable on
another is tested. All other variables must be controlled to
make sure the test is fair.
► Independent variable: The variable that is
being changed and tested during the
experiment
► Dependent variable: the variable that is
affected by the change and measured in the
experiment.
► Control variables: The variable(s) that are
kept the same to make sure that the test is
fair.
Example 1
Students of different ages were given the
same jigsaw puzzle to put together.
They were timed to see how long it took
students of each age to finish the puzzle.
Identify the independent, dependent and
control variables in this experiment.

Independent: the age of the students


Dependent: the time taken to finish the
puzzle
Control: the puzzle given to the students
Example 2
An investigation was done with a magnet to
test how many paper clips the magnet can
pick up from different heights above the pile
of paper clips.
Identify the independent, dependent and
control variables in the experiment.

Independent: height of the magnet above the paper


clips
Dependent: the number of paper clips picked up
Control: mass of the paper clips, the magnet used
Example 3
Kim wants to test how the amount of
fertilizer given to a plant affects the
number of fruits produced by the plant.
Identify the independent, dependent and
control variables in the experiment.

Independent: Amount of fertilizer given to the


plant
Dependent: number of fruits produced by the plant
Control: type of plant used, amount of water given
to the plant, amount of sunlight that the plant
receives
Example
The temperature of water was
measured at different depths beneath
the surface of a pond.
Identify the independent, dependent
and control variables in the
experiment.

Independent: depth beneath the surface of


the pond
Dependent: temperature of the water
Control: time of day and weather conditions
when the measurements were taken
A helpful acronym
Cows Moo Softly, I Don’t Care!

Change Independent
Measure Dependent
Same Control
Experimental and Control Group
Some experiments may have experimental and control
group
► The experimental group is the group that receives a
change.
► The control group, also known the control, (not to
be confused with a control variable!) does NOT
receive the change.
► The experimental and control groups are compared
to ensure that the results of an experiment are due
to the independent variable, and not any external
influence.
Example 1
A baby formula company wants to test if their new
baby formula helps babies grow faster. They give the
new formula to a group of 100 babies and the old
formula to a different group of 100 babies. The
babies are measured before and after 3 months of
drinking the provided formula to test how much they
grow.
► Independent variable: the baby formula used
► Dependent variable: how much the baby grows
► Experimental group: 100 babies drinking the new
formula
► Control group: 100 babies drinking the old formula
Example 2
Teachers want to know if students’ productivity is
impacted by listening to music when completing
their classwork. 15 students were allowed to listen
to music in class, and 15 were not. The amount of
work completed by the students was compared at
the end of the lesson.
► Independent variable: the presence of music
► Dependent variable: the amount of work completed
► Experimental group: 15 students listening to music
► Control group: 15 students not listening to music
Observations and Inferences
In science, we make observations and inferences.
Observations
► Observations are things that we can see,
smell, hear, taste or feel.
► They are factual and can be proven.
► Observations can be qualitative or
quantitative.
► A qualitative observation is a description of
what is observed.
► E.g. it is cool today
► A quantitative observation uses numbers to
measure what is observed.
► E.g. it is only 18 degrees today.
Qualitative or quantitative?

► Blake is a tall boy.


► Blake is 180cm tall.
► The marathon is 42km long.
► The marathon is a long race.
► My schoolbag weighs 5kg.
► My schoolbag is heavy.
Inferences
► An inference is a conclusion you can
draw from an observation.
► Inferences are made based on your
existing knowledge and other
observations.
Example 1
► Observation: There is nobody in the
outdoor pool.
► Possible inferences:
► The pool is closed for cleaning.
► The pool has just opened, and no
swimmers have arrived at the pool
yet.
► The weather is too cold for
swimming outside.
Example 2
► Observation: The school’s fire alarm
is going off.
► What are some possible inferences?
Example 3
► Write 2 observations and 2 possible inferences from
this picture.
Example 4
► Write 2 observations and 2 possible inferences from
this picture.

You might also like