Medina College: Junior High School Department
Medina College: Junior High School Department
MEDINA COLLEGE J
Maningcol, Ozamiz City
U
N
I
O
Department H
Introduction to Scientific Investigation I
G
H
S
C
H
O
O
EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT L
MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
2
MODULE1
4. Take the posttest and check your answers against the key at the
Directions: Choose the correct answer from the words inside the box and write your answer
in the blank space provided before the number .
LESSON 1
Let’s Learn
TECHNICAL TERMS :
Scientific Method : a method of doing research that includes the steps of identifying problem ,
gathering data , forming a hypothesis , testing a hypothesis and drawing a conclusion
Question : the inquiry or problem relating to a topic that can be answered by conducting an
experiment
Experiment : a test or trial performed in order to discover something
Hypothesis: an educated guess or reasonable assumption
Procedure: a sequence of steps involved in performing an experiment
Observe: to notice what occurs during an experiment
Record : to write accurate information about what occurs during an experiment
Interpret : to explain or give meaning to
Conclusion : the result or outcome of something
Variable : something that can change or influence the results of an experiment
Ethical : following the rules of being fair and honest
Fair Test :making sure that in an experiment, one factor or condition(the independent variable)
affects another (Dependent Variable) by keeping all other conditions constant or the same.
Controlled Variables: factors that are kept the same in the experiment
Scientific investigation refers to the way in which scientists and researchers use a systematic
approach to answer questions about the world around us . Scientific investigation method is a systematic
way of gaining scientific knowledge. It trains us to think critically and creatively and also trains us to be
more observant and more analytical.
Investigation is the heart of science. It is the way scientists do research. Scientific investigation is
a way to find answers to a question that will produce evidences that help you answer questions and solve
problems. When the evidence cannot provide answers or solutions then it may lead to new questions or
problems for investigation. As more knowledge are discovered, science advances.
Researchers investigate the world in so many ways. In different fields of science, they may use
different methods and be guided by different theories and hypotheses but most of them generally follow
the steps in a Scientific Investigation.
For example :
if you want to know the effects of fertilizer on the growth of plant, your possible problem
question is :
A testable question is one that can
be answered by designing and
conducting an investigation
2. FORMULATE HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis is the statement that gives a tentative answer or solution to the question , it is the
expected outcome in an experiment
For example :
In this step you will formulate procedures for your actual experiment
For example:
This is the step in which you will perform the experiment including the Fair test.
Fair test: making sure that in an experiment, one factor or condition(the independent variable) affects
another (Dependent Variable) by keeping all other conditions constant or the same.
In Fair test you are going to identify controlled variables by making Experimental design which
consist of controlled set-up and Experimental Set-up, the controlled variables or the same
variables in both set-up are species of plant with the same size, health ,age, type of soil , pot and
amount of water at the same schedule of watering. These are important because they ensure that
the fertilizer is the only variable that can affect the plant growth.
EXPERIMENT : DOES FERTILIZER MAKE A PLANT GROW BIGGER?
Do repeated trials to increase accuracy and reliability, you should repeat the actual experiment
at least three times.
Observation is essential in science. Scientists use observation to collect and record data, which enables
them to construct and then test hypotheses and theories
Let us go back to the Question Problem , the question is asking about the Plant growth as the fertilizer
is applied, thus ,the focus of your observation is the Plant growth .So after applying the independent
variable which is the fertilizer you will now observe the plant growth which is the dependent variable
.Plant Growth is the dependent variable because dependent variable is what you are observing.
Choose appropriate device from the measuring devices, since you will measure the length of the growth
of plant , the device that you can use is TAPE MEASURE OR RULER. You will also use the
appropriate unit , in this experiment the appropriate unit is centimeter
You can make a chart to record the measurement of plant growth in a certain period of time
In interpreting data you can use graphical representation such as Bar Graph,Horizontal Bar Graph, Line
Graph and Pie Chart
Scientists are, by nature, keen observers that is why they can easily perceive areas where
problems exist. Having identified the problem, scientist undertakes a carefully planned
investigation following a systematic and logical approach using steps in scientific method. The
figure below shows the steps in Scientific Investigation.
FORM A HYPOTHESIS
DEFINE/IDENTIFY MAKE TEST HYPOTHESIS &
THE PROBLEM OBSERVATIONS PERFORM EXPERIMENTS
NO
ORGANIZE AND ANALYZE DATA
YES
FAULTY EXPERIMENTS
Week 1
Activity 1
Directions : Fill in the crossword puzzle with the words missing from the sentences below. Match
the number of the sentence to the boxes placed across or down the grid. If filled out correctly , the
words will fit neatly into the puzzle.
1.The __is the part of an experiment that is not being tested and is used for comparison.
2.The _ describes the steps you use during an experiment.
3.After an experiment , scientists write a _ which summarizes their experiment and results.
4.The __ __ is a process used by scientists to find answers to questions or solve a problem.
5. The __ variable is the part of the experiment that is being tested or the part that is changed by the
person doing the experiment.
6.The __ is an educated guess.
7. Scientists use their data to make charts and __ to communicate the results of an experiment.
8. After the scientist makes a hypothesis , they perform an __ to collect data.
9. The first step of the scientific method is to define or identify the __.
10.Sometimes scientists make a mistake , or __ and need to do an experiment again.
11.The __ variable is the part of the experiment that is affected by the independent variable.
12.After the experiment , scientists organize and __ the data.
13. The information collected during an experiment is called__.
14. Scientist make __ to help them make a hypothesis or collect data during an experiment.
Activity 2
Directions : Below are steps in scientific investigation, arrange the following steps
in the proper order. Write numbers 1-7 (1 being the first step and 7 as the last step).
Activity 3
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from the vocabulary list inside the box.
The _________________ method is one way that people think about and solve questions
or problems. When you begin your experiment, it is important to state a problem or
_________________ that you would like to find an answer to. It is important to look up or
_________________ up-to-date information about your topic before you conduct any
experiments. A(n) _________________ is a possible explanation about something.
To conduct a(n) _________________ is a good way to discover something new about
science. Be sure to write down each step or _________________ in the correct order before you
start your science experiment. When you conduct an experiment and you deliberately change one
thing, you are introducing a(n) _________________. It is critical to watch or
_________________ what is happening with every step of your experiment. After you conduct
your experiment, a valuable step is to write down or _________________ what happened. When
you explain what happened in your experiment, you _________________ the results. Sharing
true information about the outcome of your experiment is an example of _________________
behavior. After an experiment, it is important to write down your _________________ or
summary of what you learned.
Week 1
Answer Sheet
Name:___________________________________________________ Date:_______________________
Activity 2
EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT
MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
15
Answer Sheet
Name:________________________________________________Date:__________________________
Activity 3
Answer Sheet
EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT
MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
16
Name:________________________________________________Date:__________________________