Embedded Files
Good Experiments Have...
Good Experiments Have...
A control group and an experimental group
A hypothesis
A problem to base the experiment on
ONE independent variable (what is being tested)
A dependent variable (what is being affected)
They follow the scientific method
Many constants
Large sample sizes
Many trials
Procedures with reproducible results
Good background research
Experimental Variables
Experimental Variables
Independent variable- (aka the manipulated variable, or the thing being tested) is graphed on the x-axis. This is the variable that causes a change in the results of the experiment.
Aka the manipulated variable
Plotted on the x-axis
CAUSE
Changed on purpose by scientist
The thing being tested
There is only one variable/experiment
Dependent variable- (aka the responding variable, or the thing being measured.) is graphed on the y-axis. This is the variable that you measure as the results of the experiment. It is the thing being affected by the independent variable.
Aka the responding variable
Plotted on the y-axis
EFFECT
Changes in response to the independent variable
The thing that is being measured in the end (results)
Usually only one dependent variable/experiment
Constants- these variables are not graphed. They do not change throughout the experiment in order to make sure that the independent variable is the only variable causing a change in the experiment.
Aka Controlled Variable
NOT plotted on graph
N/A (Neither the CAUSE nor the EFFECT)
Does not change purposely and is kept the same
Used to make sure that there is only one independent variable
MANY- as many as possible within the experiment
Graphing Experimental Variables
Graphing Experimental Variables
The independent variable (also known as the manipulated variable) is always plotted along the x-axis (the bottom of the graph). The dependent variable (also known as the responding variable) is plotted along the y-axis (the left side that points up...Y to the sky!).
In the sample graph to the left, the frequency of farts is dependent upon the location of a person. A person can choose to be in a certain location. They are the ones manipulating their own placement. However, they cannot control how often they must fart while in that location. Inevitably, a person will fart the fewest number of times when they are alone. However, while in class or on a date, the number of toots clearly increases. Therefore, the number of farts responds to, or is dependent upon, the location of a person. How unfortunate!
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