Testable Experiment Questions

Testable questions/problems1. Include only one independent variable2. An experiment can be performed to find the

answer3. Data can be collected as results

Sentence format for Testable question:How does changing the IV affect the DV?

Testable Experiment QuestionsBackground: A good scientist asks many questions. However, only questions/problems which are testable using the scientific method are useful to a scientist. Testable questions must meet the following requirements:

1. Include one IV only2. An experiment can be performed to find the answer3. Data can be collected as results

Testable-the following questions meet the three requirements and are considered testable.

1) Does the temperature in a room change during the day?

2) Do dogs eat more in the daytime or night time?3) Which type of insulation will keep hot chocolate

warmer the longest?4) Which brand of dish soap makes the largest bubbles?

Non-Testable—the following questions are not testable using the scientific method. They are not testable because they are:

• Someone’s opinion• Can be found by research alone• Too broad—can give too many types of answers

The following are not testable.1) What is the best brand of soda?2) What type of trees can be found in Fulton, MO?3) Why is eating too much junk food bad for your

health?4) On which continents are polar ice caps found?5) Which subject in school is the best?6) What would happen if you didn’t eat for 48

hours?

OB,rB

ROB

• Objective: For this activity you will be looking at examples of testable and non-testable questions/problems. You will then decide for yourself whether a question/problem is testable or not. Lastly, you will use your knowledge of testable questions to write your own.

• Practice: Below are some questions/problems. Decide whether they are testable or non-testable. If the question/problem is testable place a check by it. If the question/problem is non-testable explain why by writing an O next to the number if it is an opinion, an R next to the number if it is research, or a B next to the number if it is too broad.

Your turn to write: Using the following ideas for experiments, write a good testable question/problem for each statement. Use the following format to write your own testable questions. For each testable question you wrote above, underline the DV.

How does changing the ____________________ affect the ____________________?

Paper Towel

IV• Brand/type• Amount of Sheets• Size• Thickness• Texture• color

DV• How much water it can hold• How quickly it picks up

water• How strong it is• Time it takes to burn

Skateboard

IV• Trucks• Bearings• Wheels• Length• Type of wood• Brand/Type• Grip tape

DV• How long it will roll• Strength before it breaks• How high of an Ollie• How long you can grind on

it• How long it takes to stop• Weight• Turn radius• How fast it goes

Hairspray

IV• Brand• Amount of • Color• Volume• Scent of

DV• How long it will hold• Height of hair• Greasiness of hair• Flammability• Distance of spray