1. The key to inquiry investigations
How we do science…
The key to inquiry investigations

2. Asking the right questions related to scientific inquiry
Questioning…
Asking the right questions related to scientific inquiry

3. Questioning Skills
Scientific questions need to be answered by observations or evidence
If questions cannot be answered by gathering evidence, it’s not science
They should identify a relationship or a factor you can investigate

4. Hints to help!
If your questions are general, break them down into questions that can be investigated one at a time
Good questions begin with:
‘What is the relationship between…’
‘What factors cause…’
‘What is the effect…’

5. Try out your worksheet!

6. Recap: Writing A Proper Hypothesis
Using the “If / Then… because” Method

7. Independent Variable
The variable that you change is called the manipulated variable (independent variable).
The condition be studied.
It is controlled by the experimenter

8. Dependent Variable
The variables that may change as a result of your independent variable are called responding variables (dependent variables).
The condition affected by the ind. variable. It can’t be controlled by the experimenter.

9. Control
Many experiments have a control. This is a treatment or experiment that you can compare with the results of your test group.
The condition that is represented in a ‘normal’ situation (what happens with no manipulation)

10. Common Variables? Most common are:
Time, temperature, length, width, height, mass, volume, number, and kinds of substances being used in the experiment.

11. 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

12. 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.

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

14. A new addition… ‘because’!
…because write a VERY brief statement explaining why.
If water is related to plant growth, then the more you water plants, the bigger they will grow because water is needed for the reactions that create more plant cells.

15. Try out your worksheet!