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MEDINA COLLEGE J
Maningcol, Ozamiz City
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Junior High School R

Department H
Introduction to Scientific Investigation I
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EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT L
MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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MODULE1

The Components of a Scientific Investigation

What Is This Module About?

This module introduced to you the components of a scientific investigation and the
scientific ways of acquiring knowledge and solving problems. Scientific method is important not
only for scientist but also for every person since it will serve as our guide to come up with an
appropriate solution to the problem. There is one lesson prepared for you in this module as
follows:

Lesson 1: The Components of Scientific Investigation

What Will You Learn From This Module?

After reading this module, you should be able to:
1. Identify and describe the components of a scientific investigation

How to learn from this module

In order to achieve the objectives of this module successfully, you have to

remember the following:

1. Read and follow the instructions carefully.

2. Answer the pretest.

3. Take down notes and record points for clarification.

4. Take the posttest and check your answers against the key at the

end of the module.

5. Try to obtain at least 85% level of proficiency in the tests.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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Let’s See What You Already Know

Before you start studying this module, take the following test first to find out
how much you already know about the topics to be discussed.

Directions: Choose the correct answer from the words inside the box and write your answer
in the blank space provided before the number .

a. Hypothesis d. Dependent Variable g. Data j.Independent Variable m.Record

b. Control e.Experiment h.Communicate k.Interpret n.Question
c. Investigation f.Conclusion i. Observation l.Variable o.Procedure

___1.A conclusion based from evidence and reasoning

____2. A formal inquiry or systematic study
____3.A judgment based on the results of an experiment
____4.A sequence of steps involved in performing experiment
____5.A temporary solution to a problem
____6.Any information that is gathered with the use of senses
____7.can change or influence the result of the experiment
____8.observations & measurements recorded
____9. Organized process to test a hypothesis
____10.Sharing the results to get helpful feedback
____11.The inquiry or problem relating to a topic
____12.The factor that is manipulated during an experiment
___13.To interpret or give meaning
___14. To write accurate information about what occurs during experiment
___15.Used to show that the result of an experiment is really due

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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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

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION?

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.

COMPONENTS OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

1.FORMULATE A SPECIFIC QUESTION OR PROBLEM TO A TESTABLE FORM

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 :

We can use the IF-THEN statement for your hypothesis

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT
MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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3. SELECT AND JUSTIFY A PROCEDURE TO BE USED IN ANSWERING THE SPECIFIC

QUESTIONS

 In this step you will formulate procedures for your actual experiment

For example:

4.IDENTIFY THE DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT VARIABLES IN THE

INVESTIGATION

For example : Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger?

Independent Variable (fertilizer) Dependent Variable (plant growth)

The Fertilizer is the Independent Variable because it is the variable that stands alone and cannot be
affected by the other variable and the Plant Growth is the dependent variable because it is the variable
that depends on the independent variable.

5.CARRY OUT THE PROCEDURES THAT INCLUDES A FAIR TEST.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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 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?

Controlled Variables Independent variable

only in EXPERIMENTAL
 PLANT SET-UP which is the :
 SOIL
 POT  FERTILIZER
 WATER
CONTROLLED SET-UP EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP

 Do repeated trials to increase accuracy and reliability, you should repeat the actual experiment
at least three times.

6.MAKE OBSERVATIONS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTION

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.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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7.MAKE MEASUREMENTS USING APPROPRIATE DEVICES AND UNITS

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

8.Record and Report all observations and data

You can make a chart to record the measurement of plant growth in a certain period of time

9.INTERPRET PATTERNS FROM THE DATA GATHERED

In interpreting data you can use graphical representation such as Bar Graph,Horizontal Bar Graph, Line
Graph and Pie Chart

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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10.INFER AND EXPLAIN RELATIONSHIPS FROM THE DATA

11.Draw a conclusion from the results obtained, including a statement to support or

reject the hypothesis.

Here, you need to support the

results by citing studies or
experiments with the same results

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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Steps in Scientific Method

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

TRY NEW EXPERIMENTS

NO
ORGANIZE AND ANALYZE DATA

YES

FAULTY EXPERIMENTS

COMMUNICATE RESULTS DRAW CONCLUSION

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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1. Identifying Problems – The first step in scientific

investigations is to identify a problem in a given situation. The
problem comes when a researcher is curious or interested about
something he/she has observed in the environment.

2. Making Observations - The process of science starts with an

observation within the surrounding of a researcher. In this step,
the scientist will research and make observations regarding the
problem.

3. Forming a Hypothesis - In this step, you will give temporary

solutions to the identified problem.

4. Testing the Hypothesis/ Experiment –The next scientific step

you are going to do is to test your hypothesis . Some hypothesis
may be tested simply by further observations or take an
elaborate and tedious process as in the experiment.

5. Organize and Analyze Data - After performing an experiment

and collecting data , one must analyze the data . Research
experiments usually analyzed data with statistical software in
order to determine the relationships among the data gathered. In
this case of a simpler experiment, one would look at the data and
see how they show a relationship .

6. Draw Conclusions – The next step of scientific investigation is

to form a conclusion. If the data support the hypothesis, then the
hypothesis is correct and may be the explanation for the
phenomena. If the data do not support the hypothesis, then more
observations must be made, a new hypothesis is formed and the
scientific investigation is used all over again.

7. Communicate Results –When a conclusion is drawn , the

research can be presented to others to inform them of the
findings and receive input about the validity of the conclusion
drawn from the research.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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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.

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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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).

______________      a. Test the hypothesis

____________    b. Observe and record
____________    c. Make a hypothesis/ temporary solution or answer
____________    d. Communicate the result
____________    e. Identify the problem
____________    f. Arrive at a conclusion/ making of general statement
____________    g. Find out the problem

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.

Scientific Method procedure Conclusion

Question Observe Variable

Experiment Record ethical

Hypothesis Interpret research

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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Week 1
Answer Sheet
Name:___________________________________________________ Date:_______________________

Activity 2
EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT
MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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Answer Sheet
Name:________________________________________________Date:__________________________

Activity 3
Answer Sheet
EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT
MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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Name:________________________________________________Date:__________________________

EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
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EXEQUIEL M. RAMIENTOS JR, LPT

MEDINA COLLEGE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL