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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES :
A. Identify independent and dependent
variables in given scenarios;
B. Formulate a hypothesis;
C. Cite the importance and points to making
a good and feasible hypothesis;
 INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT
1
VARIABLES
• Independent variable: What the scientist changes or
Your Name
02what changes on its own.

• Dependent variable: What is being

studied/measured.

• Constant variables (also known as "constants") are

simple to understand: they're what stay the same
during the experiment. Most experiments usually only
have one independent variable and one dependent
variable, but they will all have multiple constant
variables.
 INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT
2
VARIABLES
Experiment 1: You want to figure out which brand of
microwave popcorn pops the most kernels so you can get
the most value for your money. You test different brands
of popcorn to see which bag pops the most popcorn
kernels.

•Independent Variable: Brand of popcorn bag (It's the

independent
What variable because
is the independent you are actually deciding the
variable?
popcorn bag brands)
•Dependent
What Variable: Number
is the dependent of kernels popped (This is
variable?
the dependent variable because it's what you measure for
each popcorn brand)
 INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT
2
VARIABLES
Experiment 2: You're interested in how rising sea
temperatures impact algae life, so you design an
experiment that measures the number of algae in a
sample of water taken from a specific ocean site under
varying temperatures.

What is the independent variable?

•What
Independent Variable: variable?
is the dependent Ocean temperature
•Dependent Variable: The number of algae in the sample
 4 FORMULATING HYPOTHESIS

Your Name A statement about a specific research question, and it

outlines the expected result of the experiment.

What is a “Proper” Hypothesis?

A clear, testable statements written in the present tense
that includes practical reasoning.

Example 1: Dandelions growing in nitrogen-rich soils for two

weeks develop larger leaves than those in nitrogen-poor
soils because nitrogen stimulates vegetative growth.
 4 FORMULATING “GOOD” HYPOTHESIS

Your Name 1) Identify the independent and dependent variables to be studied.

2) Specify the nature of the relationship that exists between these
variables.
3) Simple (often referred to as parsimonious). It is better to be
concise than to be longwinded. It is also better to have several
simple hypotheses than one complicated
hypothesis.
4) Does not include reference to specific measures.
5) Does not refer to specific statistical procedures that will be used
in analysis.
6) Implies the population that you are going to study.
7) Is falsifiable and testable.
 To begin formulating a hypothesis:

1. Review all the information gathered

during research
2. Figure out what the main question
of the study is
3. Form a general statement outlining
this question and the overall
expectation of the experiment
 The Importance of Hypotheses

• Hypotheses are used to support scientific research and create

breakthroughs in knowledge.

• These brief statements are what form the basis of entire

research experiments. Thus, a flaw in the formulation of a
hypothesis may cause a flaw in the design of an entire
experiment.

• Flaws in experimental design may lead to the use of unreliable

information in the field of research being questioned. In fields
such as medicine, where precision of knowledge is of utmost
importance, the use of correct research design is imperative
 Null Hypothesis

Examples of Null Hypotheses

• Hyperactivity is unrelated to eating sugar.
• All daisies have the same number of petals.
• The number of pets in a household is unrelated
to the number of people living in it.
• A person's preference for a shirt is unrelated to
its color.
 If and then format

Examples of If, Then Hypotheses

• If you get at least 6 hours of sleep, you will do
better on tests than if you get less sleep.
• If you drop a ball, it will fall toward the ground.
• If you drink coffee before going to bed, then it
will take longer to fall asleep.
• If you cover a wound with a bandage, then it will
heal with less scarring.
 3

Your Name
PRACTICE MAKES YOU
BETTER
ACTIVITY #1 IDENTIFYING
VARIABLES
ACTIVITY #2 FORMULATING
HYPOTHESIS
 3 PRACTICE MAKES YOU BETTER

Your Name 1. Sara wants to see if a new brand of hair dye lasts
longer than the brand she currently uses. She puts
the new hair dye on the left side of her head and the
old brand on her right side. After 2 weeks she
observes which side of her head has more gray hair
showing through.
a. Independent Variable = Brand of hair dye
b. Dependent Variable = Number of gray hairs
c. Control = Half of her head with the old brand
3 PRACTICE MAKES YOU BETTER

3. Chris wants to see if his basil plants grow better in

full sunlight or partial sunlight. He plants 5 basil
plants on the east side of his house that only
receives light in the
morning, and 5 more plants on the south side of his
house that receives light all day. After a month Chris
measures the height of each plant.
a. Independent Variable = Location of basil plants
b. Dependent Variable = Height of plant
c. Control = No control
3 PRACTICE MAKES YOU BETTER

2. Rob is in charge of waxing the floor at the local

mall. He wants to test a new brand of floor wax
called Squeaky Clean. Rob waxes 20 floor tiles with
Squeaky Clean and 20 tiles with the original wax
brand. After one week he counts the number of
scratches on the floor.
a. Independent Variable = Brand of floor wax
b. Dependent Variable = Number of floor scratches
c. Control = 20 tiles with the original wax brand
Your Name

Thank You
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