Experimental Design

Which of the following best describes a hypothesis?

• A. A proven fact

• B. A testable prediction

• C. An untestable idea

• D. A random guess

The primary difference between an observation and an inference is ___.

• an inference uses prior knowledge to draw a conclusion about the data

• inferences must come before observations

• observations can only be made about current information

• an inference uses data collected by your five senses

Which of the following is a testable question?

• What is the meaning of life?

• Does the amount of sunlight affect the growth rate of a plant?

• How do plants grow?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

In an experiment, what is the independent variable?

• The variable that is measured

• The variable that is changed

• The variable that is kept constant

• The variable that is dependent

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Imagine you are conducting an experiment. You want to see if playing music for plants will help them grow taller. What is your independent variable?

• The height of the plant

• The music

• The amount of water you give to the plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

• The variable that is changed

• The variable that is measured

• The variable that is kept constant

• The variable that is independent

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Imagine you are conducting an experiment. You want to see if playing music for plants will help them grow taller. What is your dependent variable?

• The height of the plant

• The music

• The amount of water you give to the plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

When graphing data from an experiment, what do you put on the Y-axis?

• time

• the independent variable

• the dependent variable

• the control

What does the control group NOT receive in an experiment?

• The dependent variable

• The independent variable

• The results

• The hypothesis

What is the main reason for having a control group in an experiment?

• To change the dependent variable

• To ensure the experiment is accurate

• To compare the results with the experimental group

• To receive the independent variable