Identifying Independent &
Dependent Variables
Goal:To demonstrate student understanding of independent and dependent
variables
Procedure - Part I: Identify the dependent and independent variable in
each of the eight investigations below. Remember the
following definitions:
INDEPEND The factor controlled (or changed) by the
ENT experimenter. This might also be described as the
VARIABLE change that I, the experimenter, makes on purpose.
It is sometimes called the manipulated variable.
DEPEND The factor (or result) which changes because of what
ENT the experimenter does. The dependent variable is the
VARIA change that occurs because of what the
BLE experimenter does; it gets changed by the
independent variable. It is sometimes called the
responding variable. It usually is measured in some
manner.
1. What is the effect of scary movies c. Hypothesis:
on pulse rate?
a. Independent variable: The level
of fear factor 4. What is the effect of higher
b. Dependent variable: The level levels of calcium on dendrite
of pulse rate synapse relay time?
c. Hypothesis: If the level of fear
a. Independent variable:
factor increases then the level
b. Dependent variable:
of pulse rate will increase
c. Hypothesis:
2. What is the effect of heat on ice
melting? 5. Which restaurant has the least
a. Independent variable: amount of
b. Dependent variable: Escherichia coli (bacteria) in their
c. Hypothesis:
rice.
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
3. What is the effect of different
types of oil on the amount of
time it takes for the gears to
reach a temperature of 30oC? 6. The most expensive air
a. Independent variable: freshener will kill the least
b. Dependent variable: number of bacteria.
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
7. What is the effect of
trajectory angle on
distance traveled?
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
8.Increased levels of pollution
will increase the number of
mutations in frogs.
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
9.Sodium Chloride will dissolve
the fastest in water at a
temperature of 100oC.
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
10. Listening to Jazz music
will increase science test
grades.
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
11. Longer school days
will result in improved
student grades.
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
Name: Date: Period:
Goal:To demonstrate student understanding of independent and dependent
variables
Procedure - Part I: Identify the dependent and independent variable in
each of the eight investigations below. Remember the
following definitions:
INDEPEND The factor manipulated (or changed) by the scientist.
ENT This might also be described as the change made by
VARIABLE the experimenter on purpose.
DEPEND The factor (or result) which changes because of what
ENT the scientist does. The dependent variable is the
VARIA change that occurs because of what the
BLE experimenter does; it gets changed by the
independent variable. It is sometimes called the
responding variable. This is the variable that the
scientist measures because it is changed as a result
of the IV.
Example: You are investigating how soil type influences bean stem growth. In
your investigation…
a. Independent variable (the variable that you are changing) is types of
soil used.
1. Dependent variable (the results) of popcorn?
would be the growth of bean a. Independent variable:
stems.Is plant growth affected by b. Dependent variable:
the color of light in which it c. Hypothesis:
grows?
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis: 4. Which type of paper towel is more
absorbent?
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
2. Which laundry detergent c. Hypothesis:
removes stains more
5. Which battery has the longest life
effectively?
span?
a. Independent variable:
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
c. Hypothesis:
3. Does the type of oil affect the size
6. Which paint resists weathering
more effectively?
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
7. Do different types of music
affect student math accuracy?
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
8. How do different salts affect the
melting point of ice?
a. Independent variable:
b. Dependent variable:
c. Hypothesis:
Part III: Evaluation
1. Explain how you know which variable in an experiment is the independent
variable.
2. What question can you ask to help you identify the dependent variable?
