Experimental Design/Inquiry Skills

An educated guess that has not been tested. 

• law
• theory
• hypothesis
• fact

The variable in an experiment deliberately changed by the scientist. The variable being tested.

• dependent variable
• independent variable
• data
• control group

If you were testing how well different dish soaps cleaned grease, the independent variable would be the:

• dish type
• amount of grease
• dish soap type
• grease type

The variable that depends on changes to the independent variable. 

• control group
• dependent variable
• experimental variable
• independent variable

Dory set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the dependent variable?

• distance traveled by the ball
• height of the ramp
• mass of the ball
• ball type

A factor in an experiment that stays the same.

• control group
• constant
• dependent variable
• experimental group

Three baseball players investigate to see who can throw a baseball the farthest. They mark off an area on the playground for their investigation. Which should they keep constant?

• height of the players
• color of the balls thrown
• order in which the players throw
• spot from which the players throw

What is the control group?

• amount of time the spray stays on the shower
• the half of the shower sprayed with water
• the half of the shower sprayed with coconut juice
• the amount of slime

What is the experimental group?

• drink type
• # of paper stacks
• Group B
• Group A

What is an "if...., then because" statement that predicts the outcome of an experiment or how the Independent variable effects the dependent variable?

• Conclusion

• Materials

• Hypothesis

• Problem