Variables in a Scientific Investigation

A student wanted to test the effect of candy on test grades.  What would be the dependent variable?

• candy
• test grades
• students
• no candy

What are the three kinds of variables that you need to identify in your experiments?

• independent, controlled, dependent
• independent, dependent, identical
• identical, controlled, sample

Tags

NGSS.3-5-ETS1-3

This variable in an experiment is the one being deliberately changed by the scientist. 

• dependent variable
• independent variable
• data
• control group

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.A.2C

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, what is the dependent variable?

• Type of plant
• Water, apple juice, milk
• Plant growth
• Color of the plant's leaves

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Mr. Krabbs is trying a new money making scheme.  On Tuesdays he is selling his crabby patties on multicolored buns.  He usually averages 25 customers per day.  On Tuesdays he now averages 27 customers. 
What was the dependent variable?

• The customers 
• The crabby patty
• The multicolored buns
• The number of customers

Suzan usually walks to school. She wants to see if running to school will help her do better on quizzes in first period. (What is her Independent Variable?)

• How far she walks
• Running to school
• Walking to school
• How well she does on quizzes

Which variable do you measure?

• Independent
• Dependent

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Which variable do you change in an experiment?

• Dependent
• Independent

The variables in an experiment that stay the same are the - 

• IV
• DV
• Constants

A student wants to test the effects of type of exercise on heart rate.  What is the dependent variable?

• heart rate
• type of exercise
• amount of exercise
• time of day exercise occurs

Tags

NGSS.3-5-ETS1-3