how to write a testable question. what is a “testable question?” a testable question is one that...
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How to Write a How to Write a Testable QuestionTestable QuestionHow to Write a How to Write a
Testable QuestionTestable Question
What is a “Testable Question?”
A testable question is one that can be answered by designing and conducting an experiment.
Testable Questions have
•A responding variable
•A manipulated variable
•Controlled variables
What is aManipulated Variable?
•The single condition that will be changed in an experiment
What is aResponding Variable?
•The condition that will be measured in an experiment
Controlled Variables?
•The conditions that are kept the same (unchangeable) in an experiment
Testable Question #1
•Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?
Testable Question #1
• Does changing the ____________ affect the ______________ going down the ramp?
Manipulated Variable
Responding Variable
Testable Question #1
CONTROLLED VARIABLES:•Same car•Same ramp surface•Surface the car roll onto
Testable Question #2
•Does changing the amount of light affect the growth rate of plants?
Underline the MANIPULATED variable
Box in the RESPONDING variable
Testable Question #2
• List the CONTROLLED variables:____________________________________________________________________________________________
Testable Question #3
•Does the temperature of water affect the time it takes a sugar cube to dissolve?
Underline the MANIPULATED variable
Box in the RESPONDING variable
Testable Question #3
• List the CONTROLLED variables:____________________________________________________________________________________________
Testable or Not Testable Review
• Testable Questions need 2 parts– _____________ variable– _____________ variable
Testable Question Formats
• Does changing _______ affect _______?
• How does changing _____ affect _____?
• If I change ______ will it affect ______?
• What is the effect of ______ on _______?
manipulatedvariable
manipulatedvariable
manipulatedvariable
respondingvariable
respondingvariable
respondingvariable
manipulatedvariable
respondingvariable
How to Turn aNon-Testable Questioninto a Testable Question
Step 1: Read the question carefully.
Which brand of shoe makes you run faster Nike or New Balance?
How to Turn aNon-Testable Questioninto a Testable QuestionStep 2: Determine the cause and the
effect in the question.
Which brand of shoe makes you run faster Nike or New Balance?
In this case, the idea is that the brand of shoe causes your speed to change.
So, the shoe brand is the cause, the speed that you run is the effect.
How to Turn aNon-Testable Questioninto a Testable QuestionStep 3: Plug the cause and the effect into the
format…“What is the effect of ____ on ____.”
The cause goes in the first blank, and the effect goes in the second blank.
So the correct testable question looks like…“What is the effect of shoe brand on running
speed?”
Teacher Led Problem 1
Non-Testable:Does carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere cause the atmosphere to warm?
Testable:What is the effect of carbon dioxide on
atmosphere temperature?
Teacher Led Problem 2
Non-Testable:Is achievement in school higher when
students are tested frequently?
Testable:What is the effect of testing on
student achievement?
Is it Testable?Why or Why not?
How does a paper airplane fly?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Let’s Make the Question TESTABLE!
• Decide what you are going to measure (responding variable)
For example:• Distance the plane will fly• Length of time the plane stays
in the air
Make the Question Testable
•Now select one manipulated variable and one responding variable
•Put them together to create the testable question
Make the Question Testable
• ___________________________________
___________________________________
______________
Make it Testable!
•Will a rocket go higher?– Think about variables that could be
manipulated
• ____________________________• ____________________________• ____________________________
Will a rocket go higher?• Will a rocket go higher?Now what can
be measured (responding variable)
• _____________________________• _____________________________• _____________________________
Will a rocket go higher?• Write your testable question and
label the manipulated and responding variables
• ___________________________________
___________________________________
______________
Make it Testable!
•Will dogs wag their tails?– Think about variables that could be
manipulated
• ____________________________• ____________________________• ____________________________
Will dogs wag their tails?
• Now what can be measured (responding variable)
• _____________________________• _____________________________• _____________________________
Will dogs wag their tails?
• Write your testable question and label the manipulated and responding variables
• ___________________________________
___________________________________
______________
Make it Testable?
• Does laundry detergent make dirty white clothes clean?– Think about variables that could be
manipulated
• _______________________________• ________________________________• ________________________________
Does laundry detergent make dirty white clothes
clean?• Now what can be measured
(responding variable)
• _____________________________• _____________________________• _____________________________
Does laundry detergent make dirty white clothes
clean?• Write your testable question and
label the manipulated and responding variables
• ___________________________________
___________________________________
______________
Make it Testable?
• Do batteries make flashlights light up?– Think about variables that could be
manipulated
• ________________________________• ________________________________• ________________________________
Do batteries make flashlights light up?
• Now what can be measured (responding variable)
• _____________________________• _____________________________• _____________________________
Do batteries make flashlights light up?
• Write your testable question and label the manipulated and responding variables
• ___________________________________
___________________________________
______________