Nature of Science Writing Answers

1. Writing Hypotheses a. It must be an If . . ., then . . . Statement. b. After the “If”, fill in the descriptive independent variable. c. After the “then”, fill in the descriptive dependent variable. Example – If I increase the amount of fertilizer, then the pine trees will grow taller.

2. Writing Independent variables The Independent Variable (IV) is what is being changed or tested by the scientist. b. It must be descriptive. Not just a noun. c. May be helpful to write as ___________ vs __________. Example – For example “fertilizer vs.no fertilizer.

3. Writing Dependent variables a.The DV is the data you are collecting on how the IV changed the test subjects. b. It must be descriptive and should include how the data will be measured. Example – For example “pine trees grow taller”

3. Writing Conclusions There are two parts to every conclusion: a. A statement as to whether or not the hypothesis Was supported. b. Evidence (including actual data) that supports your conclusion. Example – For example “The hypothesis was not supported. The evidence shows that pine trees given fertilizer grew to an average height of 68.2cm and pine trees given no fertilizer grew to an average height of 67.9 cm.”