Experimental design

What is the DEPENDENT variable (effect) in this experiment?

"Does eating breakfast improve test score?"

• eating breakfast or not

• the score you earn on the test

• what time you get up in the morning

• what you eat for breakfast

• the type of test you took

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What is the INDEPENDENT variable in this experiment?

"I believe given equal amount of heat, the metal copper conducts heat faster than aluminum, steel, or silver."

• size of metal

• types of metal

• time it takes to heat up

• shape of the metal

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What is the DEPENDENT variable (the thing we measure) in this experiment?

"Do tall people jump further than short people?"

• height of the person

• weight of the person

• how fast the person runs

• how far the person jumps

What is the INDEPENDENT variable (cause) in this experiment?
"Will fish school more if a predator is present?" 

• whether there is a predator or not
• number of fish school together
• type of predator
• type of fish

Tags

NGSS.3-LS2-1

Diego wants to know how drinking milk affects how tall Dora grows. Which is the independent variable?

• Drinking milk.

• Diego's growth.

• Dora's growth.

• Chocolate or plain milk.

Tags

CCSS.HSS.CP.A.5

The one variable you change and test in an experiment to see if it has an effect

• Controlled variables (constants)

• Dependent variable (responding variable)

• Independent variable (manipulated variable)

• Control group

The variables that are kept the same for ALL subjects and samples in an experiment

• Controlled variables (constants)

• Dependent variable (responding variable)

• Independent variable (manipulated variable)

• Control group

The subjects or samples that do not receive the experimental treatment in a study and are used for comparison

• Controlled variables (constants)

• Dependent variable (responding variable)

• Independent variable (manipulated variable)

• Control group

Two groups of plants (Group 1 and Group 2) were planted in identical pots, with identical soils, in identical lighting and temperature environments, receiving identical amounts of water and fertilizer. Every day, Group 2 plants also received small, measured amounts of acid mixed with the water that they received.

What is the independent variable?

• The temperature

• The acid

• The fertilizer

• The soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Two groups of plants (Group 1 and Group 2) were planted in identical pots, with identical soils, in identical lighting and temperature environments, receiving identical amounts of water and fertilizer. Every day, Group 2 plants also received small, measured amounts of acid mixed with the water that they received.

What is the control group?

• Group 1

• Group 2

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1