Science Inquiry Skills (SIS)

Independent/ Dependent/ Extraneous Variables worksheet

For each of the following hypotheses/ research topics identify the independent and dependent variable,
and two possible extraneous variables.

1. People will behave differently in a crowd from the way they behave when alone.

2. Drinking water while driving the car increases driver alertness.

3. Listening to music while studying for a test decreases performance on the test.

4. Eating food high in sugar increases hyperactivity in children.

5. The colour of a room affects students’ ability to focus on school work.

6. High levels of stress increase incidences of insomnia.

7. Brainwave activity changes when awake compared to when asleep.

8. Children who eat breakfast perform better on cognitive tests at school.

9. High levels of anxiety affect the ability to make new friends.

10. Students that sleep less than 8 hours a night have poorer exam performance.

11. High levels of stress increase aggressive behaviour in adults.

12. Listening to loud music when driving increases risk of having a car accident.

13. Drinking alcohol when pregnant increases risk of baby having behaviour problems.

14. Watching television for more than 2 hours a day decreases cognitive performance.

15. Reading books to a foetus (during pregnancy) increases cognitive performance at school.

Some hypothesis were adapted or taken from the following textbook:

 Psychology Stage 2 Jacaranda textbook, Spencer and Hartstone, 2007, National Library of Australia.