MACFI SCIENCE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Quezon Blvd., Lamitan City, Basilan

Name: Date: Score:

Grade/ Year & Section: Subject:
Activity Title: Scientific Method:Constructing Hypothesis and Identifying Variables Activity No:
Reference (s):Estrellita A. Madriaga, Science Links7Worktext for Scientific and Technological Literacy pp.
Learning Target/s:
a. Formulate a research hypothesis
b. Identify the independent and dependent variables
I. LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

a. Concept Notes
Step 2. Formulation of Hypothesis
Hypothesis – is a simple statement that presents the possible solution to the problem. It is simply a prediction
and has not yet been proven or disproven.
Prediction – a statement about what will happen or might happen
Step 3. Designing a Controlled Experiment
After forming hypothesis, develop an experiment to support or not support your hypothesis by using a
controlled experiment which tests only one factor at a time by using comparison of control group and
experimental group

a. CONTROL GROUP b. EXPERIMENTAL GROUP

 There is no changes in the variable  Only one variable is changed at a time

Variable – the factors in an experiment that can be changed. These are of three kinds.
1. Controlled Variables – are variables that are kept constant.
2. Independent Variables – are the factors that are change or alter during the experiment.
3. Dependent Variable – is the one observed during the experiment. The dependent variable is the data we
collect during the experiment.

Example:
Read a situation of a group of students who wanted to determine the effect of fertilizer on the growth of plants.

A group of students tested the effect of fertilizer on the growth of plants. They used six plants that are all
15 cm tall. They grouped the plants into two: Group A and Group B. They watered the plants in Group A with
200 mL of plain water and 200 mL of fertilizer solution in Group B. They watered the plants twice a week with
the same amount of water and exposed them to the same amount of sunlight. After 3 weeks, they measured the
growth of the plants in each group.

Control Group – the set of plants that did not receive fertilizer
Experimental Group – the set of plants that received some amount of fertilizer
Topic/Problem : Does the fertilizer affect the growth of plants?
Hypothesis: Fertilizers have an effect on the growth of plants. Plants with fertilizers will grow bigger.

Controlled Variables Amount of water, amount of sunlight, kind and size of plants
Independent Variables Amount of fertilizer
Dependent Variables The growth of plants

b. Checking for Understanding

Direction: Read and understand the given situation below.

1. A scientist wants to find out the effect of caffeine on memory ability of 40-year old men and women.
She gave her experimental group five glasses of softdrinks a day and measured the number of words
they remember through a series of written test. The control group completed the same test but did not
consume any caffeine.
Identify the following:
a. Topic/Problem:
b. Hypothesis:
c. Controlled Variable:
d. Independent Variable:
e. Dependent Variable:

2. In order to test the effectiveness of a new vaccine, 50 volunteers are selected and divided into two
groups. One group will be the control group and the other will be the experimental group. Both groups
are given a pill to take that is identical in size, shape, color, and texture.

a. Describe the control group:

b. Describe the experimental group:

c. What variables are kept constant?

d. What variable is being changed?

c. Processing Questions:

1. What is the importance of the control group?

 2. Is it possible to have a false hypothesis? Why or Why not?

d. Framing Concepts
Direction: Write what you have learned inside the star.