Learning the Scientific Method How to write a Testable (Investigative) Question. Tamara Helfer, 2012 Sequoia Science Explorations

Testable (investigative) Vs. Standard (factual) Question When we come up with most questions they are in a style that is not set up to test or lead to an experiment. – STANDARD (Factual or Conversational) Question: EX. Why are insects so loud in the Spring? In Science we must format those questions so that we can identify what we want to test and measure. – TESTABLE (Investigative or Experimental) Question: EX. Does changing air temperature affect the amount of noise that insects make?

What is a “Testable Question?” A testable question is one that can be answered by designing and conducting an experiment. Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the affect is on another thing.

Testable Question Formats 1.Does changing _______ affect _______? 2.How does changing _____ affect _____? 3.If I change ______, will it affect ______? The first blank is what you Test, the second blank is what you will Measure.

The Steps to a testable question… Look at the question given: 1.Does the question give both what to test and what to measure? If Yes = testable, what is each If No = standard 2.If it is standard Does it give you either what to test or what to measure – If Yes = use that in the testable question and figure out the missing piece – If No = you must figure out both parts for your testable question 3.Write your Testable Question using the Formats

YES NO Testable Identify: What is to be tested?_________________________ What is to be measured?_______________________ Standard (not testable) 2. Does the question provide what is to be tested or what is to be measured? YES NO Determine what the missing piece (what is to be tested or what is to be measured) is to make the question complete and testable. Determine both parts for your testable question: What can I test?__________________________________ What can I measure?_______________________________ Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing. “If I change ________, what will happen to _______, compared to our control?” TESTABLE QUESTION FORMATS Does changing _______ affect _______? How does changing _____ affect _____? If I change ______, will it affect ______? The first blank is what you Test, the second blank is what you will Measure. Look at the question given: Is the question testable or investigative? Does the question give both what to test and what to measure?

Examples Try to write each of the following as a testable question. 1) Does a ramp make my toy car go faster? 2) Does light affect plants? 3) Why can’t I make this sugar dissolve in my coffee? Circle what you will test…. Underline what you will measure Does it really tell you what to test or measure or just give you an idea of what you might test or measure?

Example 1: Standard: Does a ramp make my toy car go faster? Testable: Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?

Example 2: Standard: Does light affect plants? Testable: Does changing the amount of light affect the growth rate of plants?

Example 3 Standard: Why won’t this sugar dissolve in my coffee? Testable: Does changing the temperature of coffee affect the time it takes a sugar cube to dissolve?

The Steps to a testable question… Look at the question given: 1.Does the question give both what to test and what to measure? If Yes = testable, what is each If No = standard 2.If it is standard Does it give you either what to test or what to measure – If Yes = use that in the testable question and figure out the missing piece – If No = you must figure out both parts for your testable question 3.Write your Testable Question using one of the Formats

Testable Question Formats 1.Does changing _______ affect _______? 2.How does changing _____ affect _____? 3.If I change ______, will it affect ______? The first blank is what you Test, the second blank is what you will Measure.

QOTD 10/22/15 Testable Question Practice: Circle what you test Underline what you measure Directions: Please Identify each of the following statements as either a Testable or a Standard question. If it is a testable question explain why. If it is a Standard question you need to re-write it as a Testable question. Remember: Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing. ______________1. Why does it take so long for the cookies to bake? Does changing type of cookie affect the time it takes for a cookie to bake? ______________2. How can I make my paper airplane fly further? Does changing the type of paper (copy paper vs. construction paper) affect the distance a paper airplane will fly? Standard Testable

QOTD 10/26/15 Testable Question Practice: Circle what you test Underline what you measure Directions: Please Identify each of the following statements as either a Testable or a Standard question. If it is a testable question explain why. If it is a Standard question you need to re-write it as a Testable question. Remember: Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing. ______________1. I don’t think spending time studying helps with grades on tests. Does changing the amount of time studying affect the grade received on a test? ______________2. The scariness of my costume will not make any difference in the candy I get trick or treating, will it? If I change the scariness of my costume will it affect the amount of candy I will get while trick or treating. Standard Testable

QOTD Testable Question Practice: Circle what you test Underline what you measure Directions: Please Identify each of the following statements as either a Testable or a Standard question. If it is a testable question explain why. If it is a Standard question you need to re-write it as a Testable question. Remember: Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing. ______________1. I can use any kind of soil to get nice tomatoes can’t I? How does changing the type of soil I plant my tomatoes in affect the juiciness of the tomatoes? ______________2. Does the type of soap I use on the dishes really matter? Does changing the brand of soap used on the dishes affect how clean the dishes get? Standard Testable

In Review: The Steps to a testable question… Look at the question given: 1.Does the question give both what to test and what to measure? If Yes = testable, what is each If No = standard 2.If it is standard Does it give you either what to test or what to measure – If Yes = use that in the testable question and figure out the missing piece – If No = you must figure out both parts for your testable question 3.Write your Testable Question using one of the Formats

Testable Question Formats 1.Does changing _______ affect _______? 2.How does changing _____ affect _____? 3.If I change ______, will it affect ______? The first blank is what you Test, the second blank is what you will Measure.

Congratulations You are now a Testable Question Master … So now we can move on to the next part of the process – OBSERVATIONS Then we will do – VARIABLES Then we will do – HYPOTHESIS Writing Then…