Year 9 Science · AC9S9I01

Investigable questions, hypotheses and predictions

Turn broad curiosities into questions that can be answered with evidence, then write predictions and hypotheses that connect measurable variables to scientific reasoning

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Key conceptTeach from the board

An investigable question identifies evidence that could answer it. For a relationship test, name the independent variable (changed/compared) and dependent variable (measured). A prediction states the expected pattern. A hypothesis makes a testable relationship claim and usually includes a scientific reason.

Strong form: “How does water temperature affect the time required for a fixed mass of soluble tablet to dissolve?” Prediction: “As temperature increases, dissolving time will decrease.” Hypothesis adds why. Keep claims within what the planned evidence can test.

Worked examplesWe do

Worked examples

AC9S9I01 - Investigable questions, hypotheses and predictions
Example 1

Identify IV/DV in a temperature–reaction question.

Example 2

Rewrite “Which fertiliser is best?” to define measurable growth and conditions.

Example 3

Add a direction to a prediction.

Example 4

Add scientific reasoning to turn the prediction into a hypothesis.

Curriculum examplesCopied content

Australian Curriculum v9.0 — AC9S9I01: investigable questions, predictions and hypotheses.

Victoria Levels 9–10 — VC2S10I01:Exact.

NSW Stage 5 — SC5-WS-02:Exact develops questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation.

LessonAC v9VictoriaNSW
Question/hypothesis constructionDirectDirectDirect SC5-WS-02
Evidence-scope reasoningDirect applicationBand applicationStage 5 Working Scientifically
Questions and answersWith answers
  1. What makes a question investigable? It can be answered with obtainable, relevant observations or measurements.
  2. What makes a hypothesis strong? A testable relationship plus a scientific reason.
  3. Can evidence reject a hypothesis? Yes; that is a useful scientific outcome.
  4. Must every inquiry manipulate a variable? No; some investigate naturally occurring patterns.
Practice and reviewReady for practice
  • Any question is investigable. Evidence must be measurable/observable and feasible.
  • A hypothesis is a guess. It is a testable, reasoned explanation/relationship.
  • A prediction must be correct. It must be testable; evidence can contradict it.
  • All science requires changing one variable. Observational studies and model tests are also scientific inquiries.
Curriculum alignmentStart here
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