Developing a Hypothesis and Title for your Experiment

1. Developing a Hypothesis and
Title for your Experiment
Based on slides from “Blueprints for Science” Summer Institute

2. Scientific Method
1.Formulate a question.
2.Research the question.
3.Form a hypothesis.
4.Conduct an experiment to test your
hypothesis.
5.Analyze data.
6.Draw Conclusions.
7.Communicate results.

3. The Hypothesis is the foundation of
the experiment!
The development of a hypothesis is the first
step in designing and conducting an
experiment.
The hypothesis should be clear, specific, and
testable.

4. The Hypothesis …
Is the prediction for the outcome of the
experiment.
States the relationship between the
independent and dependent variable!
Remember…you are always testing to see if the Independent
Variable has an effect on the Dependent Variable.

5. The Hypothesis …
Is written in the following format:
“If the (Independent Variable) is (describe
change), then the (Dependent Variable) will
(describe change).”
You must always use this “If…then…” statement which stating
your hypothesis because is states the relationship between the
IV and the DV!

6. Here’s a scenario for you:
Mr. Ponticelli tested to see if the amount of
TV had an effect on how many times his
baby woke up during the night!

He let JJ watch 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs, and 4 hrs
of TV.

7. Here’s a scenario for you:
IV: TV time (1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, 4 hr)
DV: How many times his baby woke up during
the night
HYPOTHESIS: If the (amount of TV time) is
(increased), then the (amount of times the
baby wakes up during the night) will
(increase).

8. Here’s a scenario for you:
HYPOTHESIS: If the (amount of TV time) is
(increased), then the (amount of times the
baby wakes up during the night) will
(increase).
This hypothesis states the relationship between
the amount of TV time (IV) and the # of times
the baby wakes up (DV).

9. The Title of your Experiment
Like your Hypothesis, the title of your
experiment also has a specific format you
must use.
It also shows the relationship between the IV
and the DV.

10. The Title of your Experiment…
Is written in the following format:
“The Effect of (Independent Variable) on the
(Dependent Variable).”
Remember, in your experiment, you are looking to see if the
IV has an effect on the DV.

11. The Title of your Experiment…
Using the last example:
“The Effect of (the Amount of TV Time) on
the (Number of Times the Baby Wakes Up
During the Night).”
Remember, in your experiment, you are looking to see if the IV
has an effect on the DV.

12. Effect vs Affect
“Effect” and “Affect” are great words to use
when writing Titles and Hypotheses.
What’s the difference?

13. Effect vs Affect
Effect is a noun.
It refers to the outcome of an experiment.
It is ALWAYS used when writing Titles.
Affect is a verb.
It means “to influence or act upon something.”

14. Ready for some practice?
1.Take out your Experimental Design sheet
with the vocabulary words.
2.Clear everything else off your desk.
3.Get a mini whiteboard, marker, and
“eraser.”

15. SHOW ME YOUR ANSWER!
1.Each group must give each student in the group a
specific number of 1-4.
2.I will put a scenario up on the screen.
3.Each group will discuss the scenario with each other
and identify your variables.
4.I will then call out a student number and a question
for you to answer. That student must write down the
answer though the teammates can help.
5.When I say “Show me your answer,” hold up your
white board for me to see.

16. Think about the following scenarios…
Scenario #1:
Billy Bob set up an experiment to see if the
amount of sleep affects the reading scores
of 4
th
graders.

17. Here we go!
Scenario #2:
Davey Jones has seen all those commercials
that say “Tag” body spray attracts girls.
He decided to test if the amount of body spray
has an effect on how many girls
approached him over the course of the
school day.

18. Here we go!
Scenario #3:
Sidney Crosby set up an experiment to
determine if the weight of a hockey puck
has an effect on the speed of his slapshot.
He measured his shot in mph.

19. Here we go!
Scenario #4:
Dr. Sawyer set up an experiment to see if the
amount of time students spend on
homework each night has an effect on their
Science MCAS score.

20. Here we go!
Good job!