DEVELOPING A HYPOTHESIS AND TITLE FOR YOUR

EXPERIMENT

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Formulate a question.2. Research the question.3. Form a hypothesis.4. Conduct an experiment to test

your hypothesis.5. Analyze data.6. Draw Conclusions.7. Communicate results.

THE FOUNDATION OF THE EXPERIMENT

The development of a hypothesis is the first step in designing and conducting an experiment.

The hypothesis should be:

clear,

specific,

and testable.

THE HYPOTHESIS…

Is the prediction for the outcome of the experiment.

States the relationship between the independent and dependent variable!

FORMAT

If the (independent variable) is (describe

change)

Then the (dependent variable) will (describe

change)

A SCENARIO

Mr. Joralemon tested to see if the amount of TV had an effect on how many times a baby wakes up during the night

He had his niece watch 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, and 4 hrs of TV

THE EXPERIMENT

IV: TV Time (1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, 4 hr)DV: How many times his niece woke up during the nightHypothesis: If the (amount of TV time) is (increased), then the (amount of times the baby wakes up during the night) will (increase)

THE HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis: If the (amount of TV time) is (increased), then the (amount of times the baby wakes up during the night) will (increase)This hypothesis states the relationship between the amount of TV time (IV) and the # of times the baby wakes up (DV)

EXPERIMENT TITLE

Like your hypothesis, you also use a specific format on the title of your experimentYour title also shows the relationship between the IV and DV

THE TITLE OF YOUR EXPERIMENT…

Is written in the following format:“The Effect of (Independent Variable) on the (Dependent Variable).”

Remember, in your experiment, you are looking to see if the IV has an effect on the DV

A SCENARIO

Mr. Joralemon tested to see if the amount of TV had an effect on how many times a baby wakes up during the night

He had his niece watch 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, and 4 hrs of TV

THE TITLE

The Effect of (the Amount of TV Time) on the (Number of times the Baby Wakes Up During the Night).”

Remember, in your experiment, you are looking to see if the IV has an effect on the DV

EFFECT VS AFFECT

Effect is a noun.It refers to the outcome of an experiment.It is ALWAYS used when writing Titles.

Affect is a verb.It means “to influence or act upon something.”

SOME PRACTICE

1. Each group must give each student in the group a specific number of 1-4.

2. I will put a scenario up on the screen.3. Each group will discuss the scenario with each

other and identify your variables. 4. I will then call out a student number and a

question for you to answer. That student must write down the answer though the teammates can help.

5. I will call a team at random and check to see if you got it!

SCENARIO 1

Mayor Bloomberg set up an

experiment to see if the amount

of sleep affects the reading scores

of 4th graders

SCENARIO 2

Justin Bieber beliebes that all of his tattoos will make girls more attracted to himHe decides to test if the number of tattoos has an effect on how many girls approach him over the course of a year.

SCENARIO 3

Sidney Crosby set up an experiment to determine

if the weight of a hockey puck has an effect on the

speed of his slapshot. He measured his shot in mph.

SCENARIO 4

Dr. Frankenstein set up an experiment to see if the

amount of time student spend on homework each

night had an effect on their Science Regents Score