SSC

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Research Grade 7
Quarter 2 – Module 3
Formulating Research Questions

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Science – Grade 7
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 3: Formulating Research Questions
First Edition, 2020

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Development Team of the Module

Writer’s Name: FLORAME A. AMORIN
KATHLYN I. PARANTAR
Editor’s Name:
Reviewer’s Name:
Illustrator : John Wendel Salido
Layout Artist : Mary Luz Manalili
Plagiarism Detector Software: PlagiarismDetector.com
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Management Team:
Schools Division Superintendent : Wilfreda D. Bongalos, PhD, CESO V
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent : Marcelita S. Dignos, EdD, CESO VI
Curriculum Implementation Division Chief : Oliver M. Tuburan, Ed.D.
EPSVR – Science : Jennifer S. Mirasol
EPSVR – LRMDS : Teresita A. Bandolon
ADM Coordinator : Marigold J. Cardente

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education- Division of Lapu-Lapu City

Department of Education – Region VII Central Visayas
Lapu-Lapu City Division
Office Address: B. M. Dimataga Street, Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City
Telefax: (032) 410-4525
E-mail Address: [email protected]

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Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to the Research I Module on Formulating Research Questions

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent learning
activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help learners acquire the
needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of the module:

For the Teachers

This module is self-paced and self-explanatory. Take time to read and provide
guidance to students who need clarifications in answering the different activities
of the module.

For the Students

This module is self-paced and self-explanatory. Take time to read the instruction
and its parts and go through with the sequential order of the module. Comply
with all activities required for this module and submit to your teacher. Do not
write anything on the module. Instead, write all your answers in a separate
sheet of paper or activity notebook required by the teacher. You may submit a
handwritten or computerized answer.

For the Facilitator/Parent

This module is self-paced and self-explanatory. Take time to read the

instruction and its parts and go through with the sequential order of the
module. Make sure that there is a learning space at home provided for your
assigned student/child to work on. At most, each module should be done two
hours of reading and answering time and may be extended, as necessary.
The role of the facilitator or the parent is to clarify any content that requires
further guidance and explanation.

Let your assigned student/child comply with all activities required for this module 3
and submit to the teacher/school. Do not let your assigned student/child write
anything on the module. Instead, let the assigned student/child answer in a separate
 What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written with you in mind. In this module, you will learn about
Science 7. The scope of this module allows each one to expand the learning situations beyond
the lesson. The language used recognizes the vocabulary level of students. The lessons are
arranged comprehensively following the standard sequence of the course. It is also coherent to
the most essential learning competencies designed for the learners to be applied in the daily
basis.
The module is designed based on the essential learning competency matrix, divided into weekly
lessons as listed above.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify the variables in a problem.
2. Distinguish variables depending on their uses in planning a simple science experiment.
3. Develop a research problem or question.
4. Formulate a hypothesis.
5. Explain the relationship between variables.
6. Design a simple science experiment

What I Know

Answer this pretest to know if you have a prior knowledge about the topic. Write your answer on a
separate sheet.
A. The following are sample research questions or problems. Identify the independent and
dependent variables of the research study.
How does the amount of leaves on a tree affect the number of birds build nests in it?
1. Independent variable: ____________________________________________
2. Dependent variable : ____________________________________________

How does the acid level of a lake affect how many fish live there?
3. Independent variable : ____________________________________________
4. Dependent variable : ____________________________________________

How does the mass of paper airplane affect how far the distance the airplane it will fly?
5. Independent variable : _____________________________________________
6. Dependent variable : _____________________________________________

How does the air temperature in the oven affect its rate of baking a cake?
7. Independent variable : _____________________________________________
8. Dependent variable : _____________________________________________

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Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He created two groups
of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to
staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not
given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has
made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2, 113 stacks.
9. What is the research problem of Smithers experiment?
______________________________________________________________________________
10. Independent variable: ____________________________________________
11. Dependent variable: ____________________________________________

Homer notices that his shower is covered in a strange green slime. His friend Barney tells him that
coconut juice will get rid of the green slime. Homer decides to check this out by spraying half of
the shower with coconut juice. He sprays the other half of the shower with water. After 3 days of
"treatment" there is no change in the appearance of the green slime on either side of the shower.
12. What is Homer’s research problem? ______________________________________________
13. Independent variable: ______________________________________________
14. Dependent variable: _______________________________________________

Bart believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra strong (maybe he's been
reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice in
a microwave for 10 seconds. He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not been
exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked the mouse food. He found that
8 out of 10 of the microwaved mice were able to push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the non-
microwaved mice were able to do the same.
15. What is Bart’s research problem

16. Independent variable: _____________________________________________

17. Dependent variable: _____________________________________________

Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was the newest best thing on the market; it even
claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys the itching powder
and compares it to his usual product. One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original itching
powder, and another test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Experimental itching powder. Subject
A reported having itches for 30 minutes. Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes.
18. What is Krusty’s research problem? ______________________________________________
19. Independent variable: ______________________________________________
20. Dependent variable: ______________________________________________

Key to correction on page 12

.

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 What’s In

In the previous quarter you are taught about the importance of onservation in the empirical nature
of science. You’ve learned that through a person or scientist’s observation about his/her
surrounding, he / she was able to formulate ideas or even discover new things. But what really
comes next after observing? Yes, your correct! A person / scientist was able to formulate a
scientific question or research problem.

This module solely focuses on how one can formulate a research problem or a
scientific research.

What’s New

Most of the scientific laws, inventions or scientific breakthroughs from the ancient times until the
present is due to a person’s curiousity about what he or she have observed in his/ her
surroundings. And because he/ she have many observations around his/her surrondings a person
was able to ask questions. And these questions in mind lead him/her to conduct a study to answer
his/her querries.

What is It

What is a PROBLEM? A scientific or research problem is something you don’t understand but you
can do an experiment to help you get the answer. It is usually based on observation of scientific
phenomena. The scientific or research problem must be stated in question form and can be tested
through experimentation.
How do I formulate a research problem? In order to be able to formulate a good research problem,
you must take into consideration the following criteria:
1. Identify the variables in your study that you are going to make changes. In the previous module
you’ve learned that as the Independent variable.
2. Identify the variable that you are going to measure, or the dependent variable.
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3. The write a question of something that you will investigate based on your variables.
Here are some ways on how to write problem statements and some examples of problem
statement:
Pattern 1: What is the effect of ______________ on ____________ ?
What is the effect of dishwashing soap on germination of seeds?
What is the effect of the change in temperature on the volume of air?

Pattern 2: How /To what extent does the ________ affect __________?
To what extent does the humidity affect growth of microorganisms?
To what extent does the material color affect its heat absorption??
To what extent does the artificial fertilizer affect the growth of plants?

Pattern 3: Which/ What ___________ (verb) ___________?

What shampoo makes the most bubbles?
What diaper absorbs more liquid?

What’s More

ACTIVITY 3.1

www.majordifferences.com

Look at the picture above and write down three observations below.
1. ________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________

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3._________________________________________________________________

From the observations , what do you think does the student/ person is trying to find out?
4. ________________________________________________________________

If you are the researcher what would be your problem statement?

5. ________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 3.2
Read the situation below and assume that you are the person in the situation.

Sponge Bob thinks that Gary snores too much and it keeps him awake at night. How
wonders if Gary’s sleeping position has anything to do with how much Gary snores. He tells
Gary about his idea and Gary agrees to try sleeping in a different position. On the first night
Gary sleeps in his usual horizontal position. Sponge Bob times how many minutes Gary
snores. On the second night Gary sleeps vertically- stuck to the side of Sponge Bob’s bed.
Sponge Bob times how long he snores. On both nights Gary snored for 3 hours and 12
minutes.

Write down an observation.

1. _________________________________________________________________

If you are Sponge Bob and you would like to conduct an experiment about Gary’s snooring, what
would be your research problem?

2.__________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 3.3
Read the following statements, specify its independent variable and dependent variable and write
a problem statement.
1. The height of mongo plants depends on the amount of water they receive.
Independent Variable : ____________________________________
DependentVariable : ____________________________________
Problem: __________________________________________________

2. Mango trees receiving the most water produced more lemons.

Independent Variable : ____________________________________
DependentVariable : ____________________________________
Problem: __________________________________________________

Key to correction on page 13

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 What I have Learned

KEY CONCEPTS:
1. ________________ is something you don’t understand but you can do an experiment to help
you get the answer.
2. It is usually based on ____________of scientific phenomena.
3. The scientific or research problem must be stated in ________form and can be tested through
____________.
What are the criteria to consider in writing a problem statement?
1.__________________________
2. __________________________
3. __________________________
What are the three patterns in writing a problem statement?

1. ___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Read the situation below and specify its independent and dependent variable. Write a problem
statement.
Mr Krab thinks that adding a special sauce to his Krabby Patties will make the
customers want to buy more Krabby Patties. He tells Sponge Bob to make two groups of patties:
50 with special sauce and 50 original. Mr. Krabs instructs Squidward to serve the special sauce
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patties to half of the restaurant and the original patties to the other half. He also tells Squidward to
keep track of which customers ordered a second Krabby Pattie. After all the patties have been
served 37 customers that ate the original ordered a second Krabby Pattie.
1. Specify the variables.
Independent Variable : ____________________________________
DependentVariable : ____________________________________
Problem: __________________________________________________

Key to correction on page 13

Assessment

Read the statements, specify the independent and dependent variable, and formulate a research
problem. Write your answer on a separate sheet.

A. A student wanted to test how the mass of a paper airplane affects the distance the paper
airplane will fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. As each paper clip was added, the
plane was tested to determine how far it would fly.

1.Independent Variable : ___________________________________________

2.Dependent Variable: ___________________________________________
3.Problem: __________________________________________________________

B. An experiment was performed to determine how the coffee grounds could affect the taste of the
coffee. The same kind of coffee was used, as well as the percolator, the amount and type of water
, perking time and the electrical source were used.
4.Independent Variable : ____________________________________________
5.Dependent Variable: ____________________________________________
6.Problem: ___________________________________________________________

C. The higher the air temperature in the microwave oven, the faster is its baking time.

7.Independent Variable : ____________________________________________

8.Dependent Variable: ____________________________________________
9.Problem: ___________________________________________________________

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D. How does the amount of leaves on a tree affect the number of birds build nests in it?
10.Independent Variable : ___________________________________________
11.Dependent Variable: ___________________________________________
12.Problem: _________________________________________________________

E. How does the acid level of a lake affect how many fish live there?
13.Independent Variable : ___________________________________________
14.Dependent Variable: ___________________________________________
15.Problem: _________________________________________________________

Key to correction on page 14

Answer Key

WHAT I KNOW
How does the amount of leaves on a tree affect the number of birds build nests in it?
1. Independent variable: amount of leaves in a tree
2. Dependent variable: number of birds that build its nest on the tree
How does the acid level of a lake affect how many fish live there?
3. Independent variable: acid level of a lake
4. Dependent variable: number of fish that lives in the lake
How does the mass of paper airplane affect how far the distance the airplane will fly?
5. Independent variable: mass of paper airplane
6. Dependent variable: distance that the paper airplane flies
7. Independent variable: air temperature in the oven
8. Dependent variable: length of the time in baking a cake
Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He
created two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in
this case, they’re supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special
juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour,
Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made
1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.
9. What is the research problem of Smithers experiment?
Does special juice affect the productivity of the workers?
10. Independent variable: special juice
11. Dependent variable: workers performance

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Homer notices that his shower is covered in a strange green slime. His friend Barney
tells him that coconut juice will get rid of the green slime. Homer decides to check this
out by spraying half of the shower with coconut juice. He sprays the other half of the
shower with water. After 3 days of "treatment" there is no change in the appearance of
the green slime on either side of the shower.
12. What is Homer’s research problem?
Can coconut juice prevent the growth of green slime in shower curtains?
13. Independent variable: coconut juice
14. Dependent variable: growth of green slime

Bart believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra strong (maybe he's
been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by
placing 10 mice in a microwave for 10 seconds. He compared these 10 mice to another
10 mice that had not been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that
blocked the mouse food. He found that 8 out of 10 of the microwaved mice were able
to push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the non-microwaved mice were able to do the
same. 15. What is Bart’s research problem?
Can microwaves energized mice?
16. Independent variable: microwave
17. Dependent variable: energized mice
Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was the newest best thing on the market;
it even claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys
the itching powder and compares it to his usual product. One test subject (A) is
sprinkled with the original itching powder, and another test subject (B) was sprinkled
with the Experimental itching powder. Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes.
Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes.
18. What is Krusty’s research problem?
Which itching powder is more effective?
19. Independent variable: itching powder
20.Dependent variable: ________________________________________________

WHAT I HAVE LARNED

1. Problem
2. Observation
3. Question, Experiment

WHAT I CAN DO
Independent Variable – Special Sauce
Dependent Variable – Number of Orders
Problem : Can the special sauce of Krabby patty increase the number of orders?

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 WHAT’S MORE
ACTIVITY 3.1
Look at the picture above and write down three observations below.
1. A seedling was being watered.
2. The seedling started to grow.
3. The number of leaves becomes plenty.
From the observations , what do ou think does the student/ person is trying to find out?
4. The researcher wanted to find out the effect of water to plants / plant growth.

ACTIVITY 3.2 Write down an observation.

1. Gary snoors too much when he sleeps.
If you are Sponge Bob and you would like to conduct an experiment about Gary’s snooring,
what would be your research problem?
2. How does sleeping position affect the length of time a person snoors?

ACTIVITY 3.3
1. The height of mongo plants depends on the amount of water they receive.
Independent Variable : amount of water
Dependent Variable : height of mongo plants
Problem: To what extent does the amount of water received by mongo plants affects its
height?
2. Mango trees receiving the most water produced more lemons.
Independent Variable : amount of water
Dependent Variable : number of produced lemons
Problem : To what extent does the amount of water received by mango plants affect the
number of fruits produced.

ASSESSMENT
A. A student wanted to test how the mass of a paper airplane affects the distance the paper airplane
will fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. As each paper clip was added, the plane was
tested to determine how far it would fly.
1.Independent Variable :mass of paper airplane
2.Dependent Variable:distance the paper airplane flies.
3.Problem: How does mass of paper airplane affect its distance of flight?
B. An experiment was performed to determine how the coffee grounds could affect the taste of the
coffee. The same kind of coffee was used, as well as the coffee maker machine, the amount and
type of water , perking time and the electrical source were used.
4.Independent Variable :coffee grounds
5.Dependent Variable: taste of coffee
6.Problem: How does coffee grounds affects the taste of coffee?
C. The higher the air temperature in the microwave oven, the faster is its baking time.
7.Independent Variable : change in air temperature
8.Dependent Variable: time of baking
9.Problem: How does change in air temperature inside the microwave oven affect its time of
baking?
D. How does the amount of leaves on a tree affect the number of birds build nests in it?
10.Independent Variable : amount of leaves on a tree
11.Dependent Variable:number of birds that build nests
12.Problem: How does the amount of leaves on a tree affect the number of birds build its nest on
it?
E. How does the acid level of a lake affect how many fish live there?
13.Independent Variable : acid level
14.Dependent Variable: number of fish that lives in it
15.Problem: How does the acid level of a lake affects the number of fish that lives in it?

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Lapu-Lapu City

B.M. Dimataga St, Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

Telefax: (032) 410-4525
Email Address: [email protected]

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