Scientific Method Controls and Variables

Steps in the Scientific Method

Problem
Observation
Hypothesis
Experiment
Conclusion
Retest

P
O
H
E
C

Scientific Experiments Follow

Rules.
An
experimenter
changes one
factor and
observes or
measures what
happens.
3

The Control Variable

The experimenter makes a
special effort to keep other
factors constant so that they
will not affect the outcome.
Those factors are called
control variables.
4

What is the Purpose of a

Control?
Controls are NOT being tested
Controls are used for
COMPARISON

Other Variables
The factor that is changed is
known as the independent
variable.
The factor that is measured or
observed is called the dependent
variable.
6

Example of Controls &

Variables

For example, suppose you want to

figure out the fastest route to walk
home from school. You will try several
different routes and time how long it
takes you to get home by each one.
Since you are only interested in
finding a route that is fastest for
you, you will do the walking yourself.
7

What are the Variables in

Your Experiment?
Varying the route is the
independent variable
The time it takes is the dependent
variable
Keeping the same walker throughout
makes the walker a control variable.
8

One more thing it is best

to make several trials with
each independent variable.

10

Simpsons Worksheet Review

Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the
productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50
workers each and assigns each group the same task (in
this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers).
Group A is given the special juice to drink while they
work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an
hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each
group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B
made 2,113 stacks.

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Smithers Answers
Identify the:
1.Control Group Group B
2..Experimental Group Group A
3.Independent Variable Special Juice
4.Dependent Variable Stacks of Paper
5.What should Smithers conclusion be?
It doesnt work

6.How could this experiment be improved?

Repeat the test on another group
12

 Experiment 4 Krusty was told that a certain

itching powder was the newest best thing on
the market. It even claims to cause 50%
longer lasting itches. Interested in this
product, he buys the itching powder and
compares it to his usual product. One test
subject (A) is sprinkled with the original
itching powder, and another test subject (B)
was sprinkled with the Experimental itching
powder. Subject A reported having itches for
30 minutes. Subject B reported having
itches for 30 minutes.