How Science Works - Variables

Aims:
• to define variables as categoric, discrete and continuous
• to identify independent, dependent and control variables
in an experiment

(1) Types of variables A variable is a

factor that can
change.
• We distinguish between three types of variables: categoric, discrete and continuous:

CATEGORIC DISCRETE CONTINUOUS

VARIABLE VARIABLE VARIABLE

• descriptive • numerical • numerical

• not numberical • whole numbers • can be any value
(finite data set) (infinite data set)

What type of variables are these? Write your answer in the table next to the variable.

variable type of variable? variable type of variable? variable type of variable?

tree
colour weight
species

number of
height eye colour
children

left-hand number of
time
right-hand dogs

type of speed
temperature
fruit

Extension:

• categoric variable:
Can you think
• discrete variable:
of more
examples of…
• continuous variable:
How Science Works - Variables

(2) Variables in an experiment

(a) Independent and dependent variables

• When we do an experiment or carry out an investigation, we basically ask the question:

“Does .................. affect ………………… ?”

INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT
VARIABLE VARIABLE

= variable that you change = variable that you

measure

In the following experiments which is the independent, which the dependent variable?
The first example has been done already.

experiment / investigation: independent variable dependent variable

Does changing the light intensity affect plant light intensity plant growth
growth?

Do crickets chirp louder during the day or the night?

Are hiccups more common in men or women?

Is the severity of hay fever affected by the amount of

pollen?

Does the speed of snails depend on the surface they

move on?

Do taller children have longer arms?

Does the amount of minerals influence the size of

flowers?

Extension:
Which of the
independent variables
Come up with an in the table above are
investigation - categoric
question of your - continuous?
own.
What are the
independent and
dependent
variables?
How Science Works - Variables

(b) Control variables

• In an experiment it is important that we only have ONE independent variable, so that we Experiments where
can measure its effect on the dependent variable. All other variables that might also control variables are
influence the dependent variable therefore need to be controlled (i.e. kept constant) controlled are called
during an investigation. ‘air tests’ or ‘valid’

INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT CONTROL

VARIABLE VARIABLE VARIABLE

= variable that = variable that = variable that

you change you measure is kept constant

In the following experiments what would be good control variables? List at least two.
The first example has been done already.

experiment / investigation: control variables

Does changing the light intensity affect (1) temperature, (2) amount of nutrients in the soil,
plant growth?
(3) type of plant used
Do crickets chirp louder during the day or
the night?

Are hiccups more common in men or

women?

Is the severity of hay fever affected by the

amount of pollen?

Does the speed of snails depend on the

surface they move on?

Do taller children have longer arms?

Does the amount of minerals influence the

size of flowers?

Review and apply:

What would happen Reflect:

if we didn’t keep
control variables How confident
constant? do you feel about
Why would this topic?
this be bad?