Take two plants - ensure that both get the same amount of sunlight, but one will get little water and the other more water. Water would be the manipulated variable; the sun would be the independent variable and there is only one control. (1) make an observation; “water makes plants grow.” (2) draft the hypothesis “...if____ the ____.” (3) conduct the experiment; (4) gather the data; (5) Do the analysis to support or deny your hypothesis; and (6) repeat if necessary.