Final answer:
In scientific experimentation, the next step after forming a hypothesis involves testing several variables, particularly control variables, along with a dependent and an independent variable. The variables represent different aspects of the experiment that interact to influence the experiment's outcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The next step in designing an experiment to test a hypothesis involves dealing with several variables that must be identified and analyzed. In the context of scientific experiments, a variable is any part of the experiment that can vary or change during the experiment. Each experiment will have one or more variables and one or more controls. A control variable is held constant to ensure that changes in the dependent variable are due to the manipulation of the independent variable only.
There are two primary types of variables in an experiment: the dependent variable and the independent variable. The dependent variable is the one that is observed and measured, while the independent variable is the condition that the experimenter changes. Understanding the relationship between these variables allows researchers to draw conclusions about cause and effect.
For example, if a study aims to test whether a specific nutrient affects plant growth, plant growth would be the dependent variable that is measured, and the levels of the nutrient provided would be the independent variable. All other potential factors affecting growth, such as sunlight, water, and soil quality, would be control variables that need to be kept constant.