1. Scientific Investigation Practice
© Jeffrey Campbell

2. Problem:
What is the effect of the type of ball, a basketball and a soccer ball, on how high it bounces?
A problem may be called a testable question. All problems should include both the IV and DV.
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3. Independent and Dependent Variables
What is the effect of the type of ball, a basketball and a soccer ball, on how high it bounces?
You control the type of ball
You measure the height it bounces
IV – type of ball
DV – Height the ball bounces
© Jeffrey Campbell

4. Levels of Independent Variables
What is the effect of the type of ball, a basketball and a soccer ball, on how high it bounces?
The change in your Independent Variable is sometimes called the “Levels of IV.” In our example, the levels are Basketball and Soccer Ball.
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5. Constant Variables Height the ball is dropped from
Surface the ball bounces on
Both of these things should stay the same so that the results are reliable.
© Jeffrey Campbell

6. Hypothesis
If a basketball and soccer ball are dropped from the same height, then the basketball will bounce the highest.
Use the format:
IF … say the IV being tested … then … predict the result.
Some teachers may say:
IF…IV…then…DV.
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7. Materials 1 basketball 1 soccer ball 2 Metersticks 1 Chair Duct Tape
List any materials that might be needed. This list can be updated during the experiment if needed.
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8. Research
Either provide research you have done, or say who you might consider an expert that you could go to for information. A basketball coach A soccer coach.
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9. Procedure 1. Gather Materials 2. Position a chair near a wall
3. Determine the height at which you will drop each ball and mark the spot with a piece of tape on the wall.
4. Have the tester stand on the chair and drop a ball from the marked height.
5. Have the spotter measure how high the ball gets after the first bounce.
6. Record data.
7. Perform three trials for each ball.
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10. Data Table How the type of ball affects the height it bounces
(IV Label)
Height Dropped From (meters)
(CV Label)
Height Bounced (meters)
(DV Label)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Basketball 2
 1.3
1.2
1.4
Soccer Ball
 1.1
1.15
1.1
 1.12
Always include at least three trials AND an average column, a title, any units of measure, and write out the IV and DV labels. Do NOT just put IV, DV, and CV.
© Jeffrey Campbell

11. Graph
Always label your X & Y axis, provide a scale and a title, identify what the columns or lines represent, and draw the graph.
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12. Possible Errors
Tell me something that might have gone wrong that could affect the results.
During one drop, the soccer ball hit a meter stick when it bounced, which impacted the height of the bounce.
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13. Conclusion
Tell me what the results of the experiment were, if your hypothesis was supported, and include any additional information you learned.
In conclusion, I found that the basketball did bounce higher than the soccer ball. My hypothesis was supported. I think that the material used to make the basketball helped make it bouncier.
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14. Retesting
Write a new testable question (or problem), that is similar to what you just did, but with one difference.
PRO TIP: switch the IV with one of the CV’s.
Which surface of gym flooring, tiles or hardwood, will cause a basketball to bounce higher?
© Jeffrey Campbell