Hypothesis Development

Steps of the Scientific Method

●Observation/Question

●Hypothesize/Predict

●Test Hypothesis/Experiment

●Analyze Results

●Draw Conclusions

●Communicate Results

Hypothesis

●From the _question_ develop an If, then statement based on your _observation_.

●Formula for a hypothesis:

○If = _independent_ variable, then = _dependent_ variable.

●A hypothesis can be _tested_.

●Avoid using you, I, or we.

●Example:

○If Ms Creek waters the plant every day, then the plant will grow 4 cm.

○Independent = waters the plant every day

○Dependent = plant will grow 4 cm

Example 1

●Question:

○Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger?

●Possible Hypothesis:

○If fertilizer is added to the soil the plant is growing in, then it will grow taller.

●Independent variable:

○Fertilizer is added to the soil

●Dependent variable:

○It will grow taller

Example 2

●Question:

○Does an electric motor turn faster when you increase the current?

●Possible Hypothesis:

○If the current is increased, then the electric motor will turn faster.

●Independent variable:

○The current is increased

●Dependent variable:

○Electric motor will turn faster