Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V – Bicol
Schools Division Office of Camarines Norte
VINZONS PILOT HIGH SCHOOL
Vinzons

SUPPLEMENTARY LEARNING
MATERIAL IN

Grade Level: Grade 7

SLM 4 Subject: Research I
Quarter: Second

LEARNING COMPETENCY:

Identify variables that can affect an experimental outcome

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Supplementary Learning Module for Junior High School Learners

Lesson
IDENTIFYING VARIABLES

BEGIN!
After discussing how to formulate hypotheses, we will now take up variables. Variables are important to
understand because they are the units of the information studied and interpreted in research studies. Researchers
carefully analyze and interpret the value (s) of each variable to make sense of how things relate to each other in a
descriptive study or what has happened in an experiment.

In this SLM, you will learn variables specifically the independent, dependent and constant variables.

YOUR TARGETS

Hi! I am Teacher Noly! I’m going to

guide you in your journey to this
Supplementary Learning Material
At the end of the SLM, you should be
able to:

1. define variables
2. identify the variables in the research problem
3. differentiate independent, dependent and constant variables from each other

TRY THIS!

Instructions: Choose the best answer to the following test items. Write the letter of your choice on your Research I
notebook.

1. The variable that remains the same throughout the experiment is called –
a. independent variable c. dependent variable
b. constant variable d. all of these

2. Manipulated variables are considered –

a. independent variable c. dependent variable
b. constant variable d. all of these

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 3. The responding variables are also called –
a. independent variable c. dependent variable
b. constant variable d. all of these

4. The factors that are studied in the investigation are called –

a. hypotheses b. problems c. variables d. data

For items 5 and 7, refer to the research problem below.

Which brand of paper towel absorbs the most liquid?

5. What is the independent variable?

a. amount of liquid absorbed c. brand of paper towel
b. size of paper towel d kind of liquid

6. What is the dependent variable?

a. kind of liquid c brand of paper towel
b. size of paper towel d. amount of liquid absorbed

7. The following should be kept constant throughout the experiment EXCEPT –

a. Size of paper towel c. kind of liquid
b. Kind of paper towel d. amount of liquid absorbed

Congratulations!
Please check your answers at the
answer key question. If you got a perfect
score of 7 you may skip the module but if you
got 6 or lower I suggest that you take the
learning module seriously.

DO THIS!

Instruction: Look at the picture below. State or formulate a problem about the picture.

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 1. What do you call the factors that are studied in this problem ?
2. Can you identify the independent variable in this problem? What is it?
3. What is the dependent variable?
4. What do you think are the factors that you will keep the same or constant throughout the
experiment?

KEEP THIS IN MIND

Variables are the factors that are studied in an investigation. The independent variable is the one

that is manipulated or changed. The dependent variable is that which responds to the change. Constant

variable is a variable that is kept the same throughout the experiment.

Only one variable should be manipulated or changed at any one time. The responding variable must
be measured.

LET’S ENGAGE!

Instructions:

What problem can you formulate from thepicture ?

Soil cement grassland

Questions:
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 1. What is the independent variable
2. What is the dependent variable?
3. What factors should remain the same throughout the investigation?

Let me guide you in exploring the next

activity and find out if your answers are
correct .

EXPLORE!

Instructions: Perform the activity below. Write on your notebook the answers to the questions given.

Activity 1. Variable Detective

Objective:. To identify the independent variable, dependent variable and constant variables in the activity.

Problem: Does the height of a hole punched on the side of the can affect how far the water
would spurt from the container when the can is full of water?

NOTE: Ask help from your parents or elders in punching holes on the can.

You are going to perform this activity at home.

Materials:
1 pc empty soft drink can or mineral water
1 pc meter stick
1L tap water
modelling clay

Procedure:
1. Get one clean empty soft drink can.
2. Punch three holes of the same size with equal distances from each other, from bottom to top on
one side of the can.

Figure 1

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 3. Cover the holes with modeling clay.
4. Pour water up to the brim of the can.
5. Place a meter stick at the bottom of the can.

Figure 2

6. Remove the clay from the top most hole. Observe what happens. Measure the distance the
water spurt from the can. This is your first trial.
7. Return the clay to the hole and pour water up to the brim again.
8. Repeat step 6 to 7 for the second and third trials.
9. Perform steps 6-8 for the middle and lowest holes.
10. Record your data on the table below.

Table 1. Height of the Holes vs Distance of Water Spurt from the Can
Distance of Water Spurt from the Can
Height of the (cm) Average
Holes (cm) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Q1. What factors or variables are studied in the activity?

Q2. What variable has been changed in the activity?

Q3. What variable was affected by the changed variable?

Q4. What variables were kept constant in the activity?

NOTE: You are going to perform this at home

Activity 2. Variable Detective

Objective: To identify the independent variable, dependent variable and constant variables in the
activity.

Problem. Does the height where the ball is dropped affect the height of its bounce?

Materials:
1 piece rubber ball (or any kind of ball that bounces)
1 meter stick (or any material that can measure height)
Procedure:
1. Drop the rubber ball at a height of 0.3 meter from the floor.

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 2. Measure the height of bounce of ball using the meter stick.
3. Record the height of bounce for trial 1 on the table below.
4. Perform steps 1 and 2 for trials 2 and 3.
5. Drop the same ball at a height of 0.6 meter from the floor.
6. Repeat steps 2 to 4.
7. Drop the same ball at a height of 0.9 meter from the floor.
8. Perform steps 2 to 4.

Table 1. Height the ball is dropped vs. Height of the ball’s bounce

Height the ball is Height of the ball’s bounce

dropped (meter) Average
(meter) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
0.3
0.6
0.9

From the activity you performed answer the following questions;

1. What are the factors being studied in the investigation?

2. What is the independent variable?

3. What is the independent variable?

4. What are the constant variables?

KEEP THIS IN MIND

Variables are the factors that are studied in the investigation. The types of variables are

independent, dependent and constant. Independent variable is the one or anything, condition

or process which is manipulated or changed by the experimenter. A variable that is presumed to

influence other variable. Dependent variable is the variable that responds to the change or to the

independent variable. It is also called the effect, or outcome or result variable. Constant variable is

a variable that is NOT allowed to be changed during an experiment. The variable that is expected to

remain the same throughout the investigation.

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Instructions.
1. Read and understand the following problems.
2. Identify the independent, dependent and constant variables.
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 3. Write your answers on the table below.

Research Problem Independent Variable Dependent Variable Constant Variable

(1) (1) (3 or more)
A. The Effect of Different 1. 1. 1.
Fertilizer on the Growth
of Pechay 2.

3.
B. How fast do different 1. 1. 1.
fabrics burn?
2.

3.

REFLECT!

Congratulations for completing the supplementary learning module. You have just had an amazing
journey and for sure you will also do the same in the succeeding modules.

For the last time, share your insights by completing the following sentence prompts.

I have learned that __________________________________________________________________.

I wish to ask my teacher about ________________________________________________________.

LEARN MORE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=6N6g43JqMz4

ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Instructions: Choose the best answer to the following test items. Write the letter of your choice on your
Research I notebook.

A. For items 1-3 refer to the problem below;

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 The Effect of Temperature on the Growth of Molds

1. What is the independent variable of the problem study?

a. growth of molds b. temperature c. types of mold d. hard to tell

2. What is the dependent variable?

a. growth of molds b. temperature c. types of molds d. hard to tell

3. Which of the following should be the constant variable?

a. temperature b. types of molds c. growth of molds d. all of these

B. Matching Type. Match the items in column A with the items in column B. Write the letter of your
choice on your Research 1 notebook.

A B
1. variables a. effect variable

2. constant variable b. factors studied in an investigation

3. dependent variable c. manipulated variable

4. independent variable d. unchanged variable

UNLOCKING OF TERMS

The terms used in this SLM are

defined as follows…

Variable (in research) – is a factor that is studied in an investigation; simply refers to a person, place or
thing or phenomenon you are trying to measure in some way
-
Independent variable - a variable that is manipulated by the researcher

Dependent variable – is a variable which changes as a result of the independent variable being changed

Constant variable –is a variable that is kept the same throughout the experiment

KEY TO ANSWERS
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 PRE-TEST/TRY THIS ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
1. B A. 1. B
2. A 2. A
3. C 3. B
4. C B. 1. B
5. C 2. D
6. D 3. A
7. D 4. C

DO THIS
1. Variables
2. Yes. Brand of tissue paper
3. Durability/Strength of tissue paper
4. Number of ply of the tissue paper
Size of glass
Kind of glass
Number of sheet of tissue paper
Fitness of the rubber band
Kind of the rubber band

LET’S ENGAGE
1. Kind of surface
2. Height of bounce
3. Kind of ball
Height where the ball is dropped
The force exerted in dropping the ball

REFERENCES

https://www.google.com/search?
q=what+is+the+importance+of+variables+in+research&rlz=1C1CHNY_enPH913PH914&oq=what+is+the+importance
+of+variabl&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i20i263j0l8.24974j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNY_enPH913PH914&sxsrf=ALeKk00u-22HmEyR0ry96RpbPApPlj1PbA
%3A1613902589745&ei=_TIyYJmJLYjM-
QbayJqQCA&q=introduction+of+variables+in+research&oq=inroduction+about+variables&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAE
YADIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzIHCAAQRxCwAzI
HCAAQRxCwA1AAWABgkrYBaAFwAXgAgAH7AYgB-wGSAQMyLTGYAQCqAQdnd3Mtd2l6yAEIwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz

https://sitwe.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/the-use-of-variables-in-research/

Kalof, L., Dan, A., & Dietz, T. (2008). Essentials of social research. Berkshire, England: Open
University.Vogt, W.P. (2005). Dictionary of statistics and methodology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
ht tp://www.apexdissertations.com/articles/independent_dependent_variables.html

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N6g43JqMz4

https://www.donotedit.com /the-use-and-importance-of-variables/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BmjujlZExQ

Lesson Plans in Science I (integrated Science).BSE-Department of Education,2003

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