Question

Select all the correct answers.

Which steps are important when designing and conducting a scientific experiment?

A.) Hide the results from fellow scientists.

B.) Identify the independent variable.

C.) Eliminate all dependent variables.

D.) Address any confounding variables.

E.) Form a non-falsifiable hypothesis.

Answer 1

The correct answer is options B and D, that is, identify the independent variable and address any confounding variables.

A variable, which is controlled or changed in a scientific experiment is known as an independent variable. It demonstrates the reason or causes for an outcome. These are the variables, which an experimenter modifies to examine their dependent variables. Thus, knowing an independent variable can help to test different other variables.

A confounding variable refers to an external effect, which modifies the influence of an independent and dependent variable. This external effect is used to effect the consequence of an experimental design. The confounding variables can destroy an experiment and can lead to useless results. Thus, it is important to address any kind of confounding variable.