http://classweb.gmu.edu/biologyresources/writingguide/ScientificPaper.htm
What are the steps of the scientific method?
I think this should add a little more to answering your questions.
First you have to decide what question(s) you want to answer — what hypothesis you want to test in relation to your theory. On that basis, you choose your variables for your experiment. The independent variable — the potential cause or stimulus for change — is typically manipulated by the experimenter. The dependent variable measures the effect or response to changing the independent variable.
The experimental and control groups are treated the same, except that the experimental group gets the independent variable, while the control group gets nothing or a placebo — some inactive ingredient to make them think they are getting the independent variable.
Both groups are treated alike in every other way to control for confounding variables — sometimes called extraneous variables — which might otherwise effect the dependent variable. Library (in addition to online) research in the area of your experiment is needed to discover what these variables might be.
As an example, suppose you hypothesize that an additive in toothpaste will reduce cavities. Randomly select two groups of subjects and note the cavities they have. Train them in how to brush their teeth. Both groups receive toothpaste, but the experimental group's toothpaste has the additive in it.
Some confounding variables are how they brush their teeth, when and how often they brush. (We try to control this with the training.) However, there are other extraneous factors we might want to be concerned about, like diet and previous history of cavities.
After a specified period, reexamine the subjects to see how many new cavities have developed.
I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.
Ifthe rats are deprived of food then they will run faster.the food is the independent variable. dependent variable is how fast they run.rats that ate verses rats that didn't .the maze must stay the same.
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