The document explains the concept of variables in investigations, categorizing them into three types: independent (what is changed), dependent (what is measured), and constant (what remains the same). It uses practical examples, such as planting sunflower seeds and timing students on a puzzle, to illustrate how to identify these variables in experiments. Understanding these variables is crucial for ensuring fair testing in scientific investigations.

1. Identifying VariablesIdentifying Variables
&&
DesigningDesigning
InvestigationsInvestigations

3. 3 Kinds of Variables3 Kinds of Variables
 something that I changesomething that I change
 What is testedWhat is tested
 What is manipulatedWhat is manipulated

4. 3 Kinds of Variables3 Kinds of Variables
 something that is affected by thesomething that is affected by the
changechange
 What is observedWhat is observed
 What is measuredWhat is measured
 The data collected during theThe data collected during the
investigationinvestigation

5. 3 Kinds of Variables3 Kinds of Variables
 Something that I do not changedSomething that I do not changed
 Also called constantsAlso called constants
 Allow for aAllow for a “fair test”“fair test”

6. For Example:For Example:

7. I took 6 sunflower seedsI took 6 sunflower seeds

8. I planted 3 seeds in each potI planted 3 seeds in each pot

9. I chose to water one pot andI chose to water one pot and
leave the other one.leave the other one.

10. I kept doing that for a month.I kept doing that for a month.
After a month…After a month…

11. Can you identify the variables?Can you identify the variables?
 What was the thing I chose to change?What was the thing I chose to change?
 What was the thing I kept constant?What was the thing I kept constant?
 What is the thing I measured?What is the thing I measured?

12. Students of different agesStudents of different ages
were given the same jigsawwere given the same jigsaw
puzzle to put together.puzzle to put together.
They were timed to see howThey were timed to see how
long it took to finish thelong it took to finish the
puzzle.puzzle.

13. Identify the variables inIdentify the variables in
this investigation.this investigation.

17. What is the something that IWhat is the something that I
changed?changed?
Ages of the studentsAges of the students
Different ages were tested byDifferent ages were tested by
the scientistthe scientist

18. What was the thing I measure?What was the thing I measure?
The time it to put the puzzleThe time it to put the puzzle
togethertogether
The time was observed andThe time was observed and
measured by the scientistmeasured by the scientist

19. What is the factor that I kept theWhat is the factor that I kept the
same/constant?same/constant?
Same puzzleSame puzzle
All of the participants wereAll of the participants were
tested with the same puzzle.tested with the same puzzle.
It would not have been a fairIt would not have been a fair
test if some had an easy 30test if some had an easy 30
piece puzzle and some had apiece puzzle and some had a
harder 500 piece puzzle.harder 500 piece puzzle.

20. Another example:Another example:

21. One more:One more:

22. The more time I give anThe more time I give an
egg to boil, the moreegg to boil, the more
cooked it is.cooked it is.

23. What is the thing I chose toWhat is the thing I chose to
change?change?

24. What is the thing I kept theWhat is the thing I kept the
same?same?

25. What is the thing I measured?What is the thing I measured?

26.  Something that I change– Time I boilSomething that I change– Time I boil
the eggthe egg
 Something I measure– How cookedSomething I measure– How cooked
the egg isthe egg is
 Something I keep the same– type ofSomething I keep the same– type of
eggegg