CHAPTER 1 : 1.5 SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

1.5  SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

A student should be able to :

1. Identify variables in a given situation,

2. identify a question suitable for  scientific investigation,

3. form a hypothesis,

4. design and carry out a simple experiment to test the hypothesis,

5. record and present data in a suitable  form,

6. interpret data to draw a conclusion,

7. write a report of the investigation.

a)         A scientific investigation begins with observation.  When observing,

            we come out some questions.    (i.e : hearing, smelling, touching,

            tasting, seeing)

     b)    Making inference is a early assessment or explanation that is

carried out to answer the question raised. Inference is an early conclusion to what we observed

     c)    Form a  hypothesis  which is the statement of relationship between

            the manipulated variable and the responding variable we would

            expect.

    

     d)   Aim has to be stated  so that all the investigating effort  is centred

           on the main subject.

     e)   Identify all the variables ;

            i )  Manipulated variable is a quantity we manipulate / 

                 variable which causes other secondary variables to change.

            ii)   Responding variable is the quantity which is affected by the

                  manipulated variable and is measured experimentally.

            iii)   Fixed variable is the quantity that does not change

                  throughout the experiment.

f)        Apparatus / Materials needed to be listed according its specification

             example measuring instrument to ensure the success the

             experiment.

       g)    Procedure is the sequence of action or operation in order to carry

              out the experiment according to the instructions given.

h)   Observation is the listing and tabulation of all data obtained in the

             experiment.

       i)   Analysing of data can be carried out by plotting the graph, followed

            by the interpretation  of graph or calculation to obtain the required

            value.

j)        Discussion needs to be stated to find out whether the result obtained support the stated hypothesis. Precautions of the experiment can be suggested to overcome the weakness, to reduce the experimental error or to improve the result of the experiment.

k)      A conclusion is stated concerning the result of the experiment

             (is written in accordance with the aim of the experiment and based on graph). 

              By comparing with the aim stated, this will determine

             whether the hypothesis is accepted or rejected.