How to Write a Testable 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 a Manipulated Variable? The single condition that will be changed in an experiment

What is a Responding 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 Manipulated Variable Does changing the ____________ affect the ______________ going down the ramp? Responding Variable

Testable Question #1 CONTROLLED VARIABLES: Same car Same ramp surface Surface the car roll onto

Does changing the amount of light affect the growth rate of plants? 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

Testable Question Formats Does changing _______ affect _______? How does changing _____ affect _____? If I change ______ will it affect ______? What is the effect of ______ on _______? manipulated variable responding variable manipulated variable responding variable manipulated variable responding variable responding variable manipulated variable

How to Turn a Non-Testable Question into a Testable Question Step 1: Read the question carefully. Which brand of shoe makes you run faster Nike or New Balance?

How to Turn a Non-Testable Question into a Testable Question Step 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 a Non-Testable Question into a Testable Question Step 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 ____________________________________________________________________________________