IDENTIFYING VARIABLES VARIABLE Root Vary Vary means to
IDENTIFYING VARIABLES
VARIABLE • Root: Vary • Vary means to change
CONTROLS • Controls (Constants): keeping all conditions of the experiment the same except for the variables you are testing.
VARIABLES • Variables: the factors that change • Independent Variable: the variable that you purposely change in an experiment. • Dependent Variable: the “results” or “outcome” of an experiment. The factors that may change as a result of your independent variable.
EXAMPLE: WILL HOUSEPLANTS GROW FASTER IF YOU MAKE THE ROOM WARMER? • To answer this question, you decide to grow the plants at different temperatures. • Independent variable: • Dependent variable: the temperature of the room how fast plants grow • Controls: size of container, type of soil, amount of water, amount of light exposure, use of fertilizer.
HYPOTHESIS • A hypothesis is an educated guess to a scientific question or problem. • A good hypothesis should be in the “If, then, because” format. • Independent & dependent variables can be found in the Hypothesis. Example: If you drink coffee before going to bed, then it takes longer to fall asleep because the caffeine will keep me awake longer.
HYPOTHESIS • Example: If you drink coffee before going to bed, then it takes longer to fall asleep because the caffeine will keep me awake longer • Independent – drinking coffee before bed • Dependent – time needed to fall asleep • NOTE: The independent variable is usually listed first in the hypothesis. The dependent variable is the “result” of the changes being made.
- Slides: 7