A student hypothesized that lettuce seeds would not germinate unless they were covered in soil how would she test this?

To test her hypothesis, the student could set up two groups of lettuce seeds: one group would be planted in soil, while the other group would be placed on the surface without any soil cover. She would ensure both groups receive the same conditions, such as light, water, and temperature. By observing and recording the germination rates of both groups over a specific period, she can determine whether covering the seeds with soil affects their germination.