text: can you help me with my hypothesis? research question i hope to answer: do sunlight and water affect the decomposition rates of an orange?   the concern i have is that i need to say what the manipulated variables are and the responding variables and the hypothesis.   i believe it is:   1.manipulated variable 1: access to sunlight  2.manipulated variable 2: the addition of water 3.responding variable: decomposition rate  my hypothesis is   hypothesis: the orange will decompose best in a condition combining both sunlight and water.   would this really be two seperate hypothesis? or can i keep my hypothesis as it is and include two seperate manipulated variables? any advice is appreciated. thanks :o) you may leave it as it is in the initial state, however you may wish to note the varied amounts of water. i would suggest that instead of direct water by volume, you try running your hypothesis on the basis of moisture exposure, in conjunction with sunlight, accelerating the decomposition process. more directly, the rate in which decomposition is accelerated by the introduction of both variables. due to the introduction if varying forms and rates of decomposition, you may wish to include the parasites that become present during the breakdown stages.     also, while your hypothesis is that an orange will decompose best in a condition combining both sunlight and water, you must allow for atmospheric conditions such as air, and temperature. but the amount of water / moisture will have a direct effect on your results.                   good luck!!