You need to copy anything in red. Variables You need to copy anything in red.

Variable A variable is any factor that can affect the results of an experiment. In our paper airplane experiment, the variables would include the types of paper, the airplane design, the location, and the force we used to throw the planes.

independent variable The independent variable is the factor that you change in order to find out what will happen. In our paper airplane experiment, what did we change? We changed the type of paper.

Dependent variable The dependent variable is a variable that can be affected by changes in the independent variables. These are what we can measure. In our paper airplane experiment, what are we measuring? We are measuring the distance the airplane flew.

Control group The control group is a group used as a standard of comparison. This group is often designed to match conditions outside the lab under what would be considered normal conditions.

All other conditionsi are the same as those for the control group. Experimental group The experimental group is the group that is exposed to changes in the independent variable. All other conditions are the same as those for the control group.

Each repetition of an experiment is called a trial.

Practice Being alone or with others How funny they found ___________________ Students watched a cartoon either alone or with others and then rated how funny they found the cartoon to be. Independent variable: Dependent Variable: ___________________________________ Being alone or with others How funny they found the cartoon to be