Learning the Scientific Method

How to write a

Testable (Investigative) Question.

Tamara Helfer, 2012 Sequoia Science Explorations

Testable (investigative) Vs. Standard (factual) Question

• When we come up with most questions they are in a style that is not set up to test or lead to an experiment.– STANDARD (Factual or Conversational) Question:

• EX. Why are insects so loud in the Spring?

• In Science we must format those questions so that we can identify what we want to test and measure.– TESTABLE (Investigative or Experimental) Question:

• EX. Does changing air temperature affect the amount of noise that insects make?

What is a “Testable Question?”

A testable question is one that can be answered by designing and conducting an experiment.

Testable questions are always about changing

one thing to see what the affect is on another thing.

Testable Question Formats

1. Does changing _______ affect _______?

2. How does changing _____ affect _____?

3. If I change ______, will it affect ______?

• The first blank is what you Test, the second blank is what you will Measure.In a scientific experiment, these two blanks have special names: variables… We will talk about these later.

How does __Manipulated Variable____ affect __Responding variable____?

The Steps to a testable question…• Look at the question given:

1. Does the question give both what to test and what to measure?• If Yes = testable, what is each• If No = standard

2. If it is standard• Does it give you either what to test or what to measure

– If Yes = use that in the testable question and figure out the missing piece

– If No = you must figure out both parts for your testable question

3. Write your Testable Question using the Formats

YES NO

Testable Identify: •What is to be tested?_________________________•What is to be measured?_______________________

Standard (not testable)

2. Does the question provide what is to be tested or what is to be measured?

YES NO

Determine what the missing piece (what is to be tested or what is to be measured) is to make the question complete and testable.

Determine both parts for your testable question: What can I test?__________________________________What can I measure?_______________________________

Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing. “If I change ________, what will happen to _______, compared to our control?”

TESTABLE QUESTION FORMATS•Does changing _______ affect _______?•How does changing _____ affect _____?•If I change ______, will it affect ______?

The first blank is what you Test, the second blank is what you will Measure.Look at the question given:

•Is the question testable or investigative? Does the question give both what to test and what to measure?

Examples

• Try to write each of the following as a testable question.

• 1) Does a ramp make my toy car go faster?• 2) Does light affect plants?• 3) Why can’t I make this sugar dissolve in my coffee?

• Circle what you will test…. Underline what you will measure

• Does it really tell you what to test or measure or just give you an idea of what you might test or measure?

Example 1:• Standard: Does a ramp make my toy car go faster?

• Testable: Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?

Example 2:

• Standard: Does light affect plants?

• Testable: Does changing the amount of light affect the growth rate of plants?

Example 3

• Standard: Why won’t this sugar dissolve in my coffee?

• Testable: Does changing the temperature of coffee affect the time it takes a sugar cube to dissolve?

The Steps to a testable question…• Look at the question given:

1. Does the question give both what to test and what to measure?• If Yes = testable, what is each• If No = standard

2. If it is standard• Does it give you either what to test or what to measure

– If Yes = use that in the testable question and figure out the missing piece

– If No = you must figure out both parts for your testable question

3. Write your Testable Question using one of the Formats

Testable Question Formats

1. Does changing _______ affect _______?

2. How does changing _____ affect _____?

3. If I change ______, will it affect ______?

• The first blank is what you Test, the second blank is what you will Measure.

QOTD 10/22/15Testable Question Practice:

Circle what you test Underline what you measureDirections: Please Identify each of the following statements as either a Testable or a Standard question. If it is

a testable question explain why. If it is a Standard question you need to re-write it as a Testable question.

Remember: Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing.

• ______________1. Why does it take so long for the cookies to bake?• Does changing type of cookie affect the time it takes for a

cookie to bake?• ______________2. How can I make my paper airplane fly further? • Does changing the type of paper (copy paper vs.

construction paper) affect the distance a paper airplane will fly?

StandardStandard Testable Testable

QOTD 10/26/15Testable Question Practice:

Circle what you test Underline what you measureDirections: Please Identify each of the following statements as either a Testable or a Standard question. If it is

a testable question explain why. If it is a Standard question you need to re-write it as a Testable question.

Remember: Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing.

• ______________1. I don’t think spending time studying helps with grades on tests.

• Does changing the amount of time studying affect the grade received on a test?

• ______________2. The scariness of my costume will not make any difference in the candy I get trick or treating, will it?

• If I change the scariness of my costume will it affect the amount of candy I will get while trick or treating.

StandardStandard Testable Testable

QOTDTestable Question Practice:

Circle what you test Underline what you measureDirections: Please Identify each of the following statements as either a Testable or a

Standard question. If it is a testable question explain why. If it is a Standard question you need to re-write it as a Testable question.

Remember: Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing.

• ______________1. I can use any kind of soil to getnice tomatoes can’t I?• How does changing the type of soil I plant my tomatoes

in affect the juiciness of the tomatoes?• ______________2. Does the type of soap I use on

the dishes really matter?• Does changing the brand of soap used on the dishes

affect how clean the dishes get?

StandardStandard Testable Testable

In Review:The Steps to a testable question…

• Look at the question given:1. Does the question give both what to test and what to

measure?• If Yes = testable, what is each• If No = standard

2. If it is standard• Does it give you either what to test or what to measure

– If Yes = use that in the testable question and figure out the missing piece

– If No = you must figure out both parts for your testable question

3. Write your Testable Question using one of the Formats

Testable Question Formats

1. Does changing _______ affect _______?

2. How does changing _____ affect _____?

3. If I change ______, will it affect ______?

• The first blank is what you Test, the second blank is what you will Measure.

Congratulations• You are now a

Testable Question Master…

• So now we can move on to the next part of the process– OBSERVATIONS

• Then we will do– VARIABLES

• Then we will do– HYPOTHESIS Writing

• Then…