1. How to Write a Testable Question

2. What is a “Testable Question?”
A testable question is one that can be answered by designing and conducting an experiment.

3. Testable Questions have
A responding variable
A manipulated variable
Controlled variables

4. What is a Manipulated Variable?
The single condition that will be changed in an experiment

5. What is a Responding Variable?
The condition that will be measured in an experiment

6. Controlled Variables?
The conditions that are kept the same (unchangeable) in an experiment

7. Testable Question #1
Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?

8. Testable Question #1
Manipulated Variable
Does changing the ____________ affect the ______________ going down the ramp?
Responding Variable

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

10. 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

11. Testable Question #2 List the CONTROLLED variables:
_______________________

12. 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

13. Testable Question #3 List the CONTROLLED variables:
_______________________

14. Testable or Not Testable Review
Testable Questions need 2 parts
_____________ variable

15. 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

16. 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?

17. 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.

18. 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?”

19. 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?

20. 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?

21. Is it Testable? Why or Why not?
How does a paper airplane fly?
_____________________________

22. 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

23. Make the Question Testable
Now select one manipulated variable and one responding variable
Put them together to create the testable question

24. Make the Question Testable
____________________________________________________________________________________

25. Make it Testable! Will a rocket go higher?
Think about variables that could be manipulated
____________________________

26. Will a rocket go higher? _____________________________
Will a rocket go higher?Now what can be measured (responding variable)
_____________________________

27. Will a rocket go higher?
Write your testable question and label the manipulated and responding variables
____________________________________________________________________________________

28. Make it Testable! Will dogs wag their tails?
Think about variables that could be manipulated
____________________________

29. Will dogs wag their tails?
Now what can be measured (responding variable)
_____________________________

30. Will dogs wag their tails?
Write your testable question and label the manipulated and responding variables
____________________________________________________________________________________

31. Make it Testable?
Does laundry detergent make dirty white clothes clean?
Think about variables that could be manipulated
_______________________________
________________________________

32. Does laundry detergent make dirty white clothes clean?
Now what can be measured (responding variable)
_____________________________

33. Does laundry detergent make dirty white clothes clean?
Write your testable question and label the manipulated and responding variables
____________________________________________________________________________________

34. Make it Testable? Do batteries make flashlights light up?
Think about variables that could be manipulated
________________________________

35. Do batteries make flashlights light up?
Now what can be measured (responding variable)
_____________________________

36. Do batteries make flashlights light up?
Write your testable question and label the manipulated and responding variables
____________________________________________________________________________________