1. Sample Scenario
This past spring my daughter decided she wanted to grow pumpkins. We planted several seeds. Every year there is a county pumpkin contest. Prizes go to the largest and most attractive pumpkins. My husband and I decided to buy several fertilizer products to use on the pumpkins.
How could we determine the best product?
Independent/dependent variables? Control group? Controlled variables?
Types of data we should collect? (quantitative/qualitative?)
How long should we run trials/collect data?

2. Sample Answers
How to test: Try different fertilizers to determine which results in the best growth
Independent Variable: fertilizers used
Possible dependent variables: Size of pumpkin, # of pumpkins grown, color, shape, mass
Control group: Pumpkins grown in soil with NO fertilizer
Controlled variables: number seed planted, amount of water/sun exposure, length of time, type of pumpkin grown
Types of data: can be both quantitative (numberic) & qualitative (observational)
Length Data Collected: length of growing season, until pumpkins reach a determined “end point”