Scientific Investigation (Earth Science)

What is a variable?

• something used to compare the parts of a whole

• Something that is useful for displaying data or information that changes over time

• Any display of information with tabs, rows and/or columns

• Anything in an experiment that can change and can affect the outcome of the experiment

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What is an independent variable?

• the variable that changes because another variable changes

• independent variables are only found on pie charts.

• a variable most often found on the y-axis

• the variable the experimenter changes or manipulates.

Steve wanted to see if the type of fertilizer made sunflowers grow larger. What is the independent variable 

• Type of fertilizer
• Size of sunflower
• type of sun flower

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What is a dependent variable?

• the variable the experimenter changes or manipulates.

• the variable that changes as a result of another variable changing

• the variable that doesn't change

• the variable that you have control over

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Molly investigated if the age of students caused them to be better drivers. What is the dependent variable?

• Type of car
• Skill of driving
• Age of student

The part of the experiment that remains the same for the control and experimental group.

• constants
• control
• independent
• dependent

What does it mean to infer?

• test a hypothesis

• to reach a conclusion based on evidence

• closely study information

• observe data over a long period of time

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

When experimenting with the growth of a plant, a scientist uses three (of the same type of) plants, two different fertilizers, equal light, and equal water. What type of variable is the fertilizer?

• Dependent
• Independent
• Control
• Constant

Dependent variable is the data resulting FROM the change made by the experimenter and is placed on the _____ axis

• z

• y

• x

• not on a graph

True or False: Experiments should be repeated to see if the results are the same each time

• True

• False