Understanding Experimental Design Principles

Which of the following best describes a key feature of a valid experiment?

• Testing multiple independent variables at the same time

• Including only one tested independent variable

• Changing the procedure for each trial

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

What is the main purpose of having a control group in an experiment?

• To increase the number of variables tested

• To provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental group

• To ensure the procedure is complicated

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Why should the procedure of an experiment be written clearly?

• So that only the original experimenter can perform it

• So that someone of equal skill can replicate the experiment without the original experimenter present

• To make the experiment more difficult

Which of the following is a reason for testing only one independent variable at a time in an experiment?

• To make the experiment more complex

• To determine how the independent variable affects the dependent variable

• To increase the number of results

What does it mean for experimental results to be "replicated"?

• The results are unique and cannot be repeated

• The results can be obtained again by following the same procedure

• The results are only valid for one trial

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Which of the following best defines a "tested independent variable"?

• The variable that is kept constant throughout the experiment

• The variable that is intentionally changed to observe its effect

• The variable that is measured as a result

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

What is a "controlled independent variable" in an experiment?

• A variable that is changed to test its effect

• A variable that is kept constant and not changed

• A variable that is measured as the outcome

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Which of the following would make an experiment invalid?

• Using a clearly written procedure

• Testing more than one independent variable at a time

• Having a control group

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

If an experiment's results cannot be replicated, what does this suggest about the experiment?

• The experiment is valid

• The experiment may not be reliable

• The experiment has a clear procedure

Why is it important to keep controlled independent variables constant during an experiment?

• To increase the number of variables tested

• To ensure that only the tested independent variable affects the outcome

• To make the experiment more interesting

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4