Writing A Proper Hypothesis Using the “If / Then / Because” Method

Parts of the Statement Independent Variable: The condition be studied. It is controlled by the experimenter. ex. Water Dependent Variable: The condition affected by the ind. variable. It can’t be controlled by the experimenter. ex. Plant Growth Control: The condition that is represented in a normal situation.

Steps to Writing the “If” section of your Hypothesis Start your sentence with the word “If” Write down one of the variables Connect statement with one of the following: is related to is affected by causes Write down the other variable

Writing the “Then” section of your Hypothesis Write the word then (following the “if” section) Make a comment on the relationship between those two variables. Ex. If section: If water is related to plant growth, Ex. Then section: then the more you water plants, the bigger they will grow.

Writing the “Because” section of your Hypothesis Write the word because (following the “then” section) Make a comment on the relationship between the if and then section. Ex. If section: If water is related to plant growth, Ex. Then section: then the more you water plants, the bigger they will grow Ex. Because section: because water helps plants to grow.

Final “If / Then/ Because” Statement If water is related to plant growth, then the more you water plants, the bigger they will grow, because water helps plants to grow.

Resources eia.egreen.wednet.edu/science/.../hypotheses/if-then_hypothesis.ppt