Name ________________________________

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Writing Hypotheses

Now that we can identify the steps of the scientific method and understand how to identify variables, we are gearing up to begin writing our own hypotheses. This document will help you write formalized hypotheses.

1. Write the definitions of the following terms:

1. Control Group-

2. Experimental Group-

3. Variable-

4. Independent Variable-

5. Dependent Variable-

6. Hypothesis-

1. When is a hypothesis used?

2. What three words should all formalized hypothesis include? Fill-in these three words in the blanks below:

__________ grass growth is _________________________ to the amount of rainfall, ______________ exposing grass to more rain will result in increased grass growth.

Rewrite the simple hypotheses below using the formalized hypothesis style (include: “if,” “related,” and “then”). Single underline the dependent variable and double underline the independent variable. When you are done, write an original simple hypothesis and formalized hypothesis of your own. Make sure you include a prediction in the “then” portion of your formalized hypothesis.

Simple Hypothesis: Eating peanut butter may cause the hiccups.

Formalized Hypothesis: If having the hiccups is related to eating peanut butter, then people who eat more peanut butter will increase the likelihood of having the hiccups.

1. Simple Hypothesis: The acidity of the soil may affect plant growth.

Formalized Hypothesis:

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2. Simple Hypothesis: Plant growth may be affected by the amount of the light the plant receives.

Formalized Hypothesis:

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3. Simple Hypothesis: Bacterial growth may be affected by temperature.

Formalized Hypothesis:

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4. Simple Hypothesis: Increased exposure to UV light may increase the risk of skin cancer.

Formalized Hypothesis:

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5. Simple Hypothesis: Changes in temperature may cause leaves to change color.

Formalized Hypothesis:

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6. Write your own simple hypothesis in the space below. Then, write a formalized hypothesis that includes a prediction.

Simple Hypothesis: _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________

Formalized Hypothesis: _______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________