hi everyone, I am trying to help my daughter with this science portfolio but I am an English major, science is not my bag. So with that being said, my question to you is how do I define what my dependent and independent variable is on an observation experiment regarding the springfield pond and the park they decide to build around it? I get all the questions that's easy, I just don't understand what to do with the step by step variable crap. Ugh help! I'm feeling so dumb right now and want to help my daughter. Thanks in advance for whatever help comes my way.
Actually English works.
The independent variable is the one you measure or otherwise have as input.
The dependent variable is the one you calculate based on the values of the independent variables.
For example if plant growth. g, depends on sunlight, L, and Nitrogen, N, then we might say something like:
g = k L + c N^2
where k and c are constants to be determined based on our experiments.
Clearly we are saying that g (the dependent variable), depends on L and N.
omg you lost me. So let me see if I got this. In regards to the assignment I am observing a pond and the biodiversity of the fish living in the pond. I believe they were trout and catfish. Now over a period of a year I have observed these fish once a month and recorded that the population of each fish is changing. While one is decreasing the other is increasing. So a step by step experiment monitoring the parks impact on the population of the fish with a dependent and independent variable is where I am lost. Am I just to make it up or is there an actual guide I am to follow. Did that make sense what I am asking?
whatever you are observing (and measureing) is the independent variable.
fish populations are the dependent variable.
Hi there! I understand that science can sometimes feel overwhelming, but don't worry, I'm here to help you understand the concept of dependent and independent variables.
In an observation experiment, the dependent variable is the factor that you are observing or measuring. It is the variable that you believe will be influenced or affected by changes in the independent variable. The independent variable, on the other hand, is the factor that you intentionally manipulate or control in order to understand its effect on the dependent variable.
Now, let's apply these concepts to the case of the Springfield pond and the park they want to build around it. To define the dependent variable, think about what specific aspect you are interested in observing or measuring in relation to the park. Are you interested in observing how the park affects the number of people visiting the pond, their behavior, or the water quality?
For example, let's say you want to observe how the park affects the number of people visiting the pond. Your dependent variable could be the "number of visitors to the pond." This is what you will measure or observe throughout your experiment.
Next, you need to determine the independent variable, which is the factor that you are intentionally manipulating or varying. In this case, it could be the "presence or absence of the park." You will compare the number of visitors when the park is present versus when the park is not present. By controlling the park's presence or absence, you can study its influence on the dependent variable.
To summarize:
Dependent variable: Number of visitors to the pond
Independent variable: Presence or absence of the park
Remember, the dependent variable depends on the independent variable, and that's why it is called the dependent variable.
I hope this explanation clarifies the concept of dependent and independent variables for you! If you have any further questions or need additional help, feel free to ask.