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

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

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

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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