How to Write a Hypothesis

Problem/Question?Collect InformationCreate a HypothesisPerform an ExperimentAnalyze DataConclusion

Steps of the Scientific Method

What is a hypothesis again??It is an educated guess.It is your prediction about the outcome of the experiment. It explains a cause and effect.

The hypothesis is the most important part of your

investigation!

is written in the following way:

“If the (independent variable) is (describe change),then the (dependent variable) will (describe measure).”

IMPORTANT: You must always write a hypothesis as an “IF...THEN” statement. It shows how the independent and dependent variables are related.

A Hypothesis ...

Here is a scenario:

Mrs. Smith wants to know if the amount of TV her son, Jeff, watches affects the number of times he wakes up at night.

Now Let’s Try!

Independent variable? (hint- change)TV time (1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours)

Dependent variable? (hint- measure)How many times Jeff wakes up at night.

First, let’s figure out what our variables are...

If the (amount of TV time) is (increased), then the (number of times Jeff wakes up) will (increase).

Sound good?

And our hypothesis is?

Ms. Szydelko wants to find out if using fertilizer on her sunflowers will affect how high they grow.

What might her hypothesis be?

Let’s try another scenario...

“If the amount of fertilizer used on the sunflowers increases, then the height of the sunflowers will also increase.”

Ms. Szydelko says...

#1 – Put everything away.

#2 – I will count you off by 4’s. Remember your number!

#3 – After you join your group, have one group member come and get a mini white board, marker, and tissue (for your eraser).

#4 – YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES TO DO THIS.

Ready for some practice?

I will put a problem or question up on the board.

You will discuss with your group and come up with a HYPOTHESIS.

When I say “show me your answer,” one person from the group holds up the white board.

You must pass the whiteboard to a different team member for each question/problem.

INSTRUCTIONS

Billy Bob wants to know if the amount of time 6th graders at IJHS spent playing video games affects their science test scores.

Problem #1

Davey Jones has seen those commercials that say “Axe” body spray attracts girls.

He decides to test if the amount of times he sprays Axe body spray on himself affects the number of girls that approach him during one school day.

Problem #2

Brendan Quinn is setting up an experiment to find out if the weight of a hockey puck has an affect on the speed of his slap shot.

Problem #3

Dr. McDermott is really curious to find out if the amount of time students spend each night on homework affects their grades.

Problem #4