Research 7 Quarter IV - Weeks 1-4 Learning Activity Sheets The Scientific Method MELC: Explain the steps in the ecientific method; and Use the steps in the scientific method in concucting a simple scientific investigation. Objectives: ‘The learner should be able to: tontify the different otepe in the ecientifie mathod; Arrange the steps in the scientific method and Use the steps in the scientific method in conducting a simple scientific investigation.The Scientific Method ‘The scientific method is a process used by scientists to study the world around them. It can also be used to test whether any statement is accurate. You can use the scientific method to study a leaf, a dog, an ocean, or the entire universe. We all have questions about the world. The sciantific method is there to test if your answer is correct. ‘You could ask, “Why do dogs and cats have hair?" One answer might be that it keeps them warm. A good scientist would then come up with an experiment to test whether the statement was accurate. Its thescientific method in action. Before we discuss the different steps in the scientific method, let us review the following vocabulary that might help us studying the scientific method. Observation- the process of using the five senses to gather information. Hypothesis- a possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to ascientific question. Written az an “If. then...” statement. Procedure- 2 step-by-step explanation of how to experiment. ‘Variable 2 factor that changes in an experiment. Independent Variable- the variable that is tested and changed by the scientist. Dependent Variable- the variable that is measured by the scientist and changeras a result of the independent variable. Controlled Variable- the variables that are Icept the came (constant) throughoutthe entire experiment. Controlled Experiment~ an experiment that compares two or more things but only changes one variable Data- the facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations. Data Analysis. the process of interpreting the meaning of the data collected in an experiment, finding pattems in the data, and thinking sbout what the patterns Pattern a similarity, difference, trend, or other relationship found in data. Conclusion a summary of what has been leamed from an experiment and howthe data relates to the hypothesis. Now, that you are moe acquainted with these terminologies, let us discuss the different steps in the scientific method.STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD ys ile Me) FORM A HYPOTHESIS DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT PERFORM AN EXPERIMENT COMMUNICATE THE RESULTS vA | This would be a testable scientific question. It's important to do background research to find out what's already written about your question before starting your experiment. 22. FORM A HYPOTHESIS ‘The second step in the scientific method is to form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a possible explanation for a set of observations or an answerto a scientific question. A hypothesis must be testable and measurable. This Greens that researchers must be able to carry out investigations and gather evidence that will sither support or disprove the hypothesis. Many trialewill be needed before a hypothesis can be accepted as trae. A hypothesis is written ac an “If... then...” statement. ‘For example: “Uf Igive my plants fertilizer, then they will produce more flowers." 3. DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT ‘The next step in the scientific method is to test the hypothesis by designing an experiment. This includes creating a list of materiale and a procedure— a step-by- step explanation of how to conduct the experiment Scientists must be careful in how they design an experiment to make sure that it tests exactly what the hypothesis states. A proper experiment compares two or more things but changes only one variable—factors that change in an experiment. This type of experiment is called a controlled ‘experiment. For example: “When teating the effects of fertilizer on plants, you would test an experimental group (with fertiliser] and @ control group. (without fertilize:). Then you would compare the results of the groups.” For example: @ Ex. How many flowers grow on the plant.* Controlled Variable- the variables that are kept the same [constant] ‘throughout the entire experiment. For example: @ Ex. The same type of plant, the same amount of light and water 4, PERFORM AN EXPERIMENT Based on the experimental desigm, we now have away on how fo eat our hypothesis It bythe means of having two set-ups by which 1 Seeinsotal et (pln atin) wal Se compare to our control group without j foraler, - ‘Set-up 1: Without fertilier Set-up 2: With fertilizer In performing science experiment, keeping detailed, accurate records is very important. That is why before you begin your experiment, it is advisable to create a table in which to record your data. ‘Number of Flowers Bloom after A Week ‘DAY Without With: fertilizer ___ Fertilizer 1 1 2 2 2 4 3 2 4 4 3 6 S 3 6 6 4 8 7 5 10 TOTAL 20 40 A data table provides you with anorganized way to collect and record your observations. Then you can use your table to oreate a graph.‘Number of Flowers Bloom after A Week Without Ferier With Feritaer INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARRIABLE: NUMBER OF FLOWERS BLOOM ‘ony 1 mDay2 =Day3 mDsy4 mOayS mOay6 MOay7 Graphs help you understand and use that data. Graphs make it easy to identify twends and make predictions. The xaxis of your graph represents the independent variable, while the y-axis of your graph represents the dependent variable, 5. ANALYZE DATA The next step in the scientific method is to analyze the data, Data analysis is the process of interpreting the meaning of the data we have collected, organized, and in the form of a table or graph. The process differences, what these pattems might mean. Let's try to analyze the graph we've made eavlier. Number of Flowers Bloom after A Week INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE: NUMBER OF FLOWERS BLOOM {Day 1 may? Day mDsy4 mDayS Day mDay7STEP 1: READING BASICS First you have to read the labels and the legend of the diagram. What does it visualize? ‘+ xeaxis: You can read the presence and absence of fertilizer in the experiment. ‘+ y-Anis: You can read the numbers of flower it blooms. + Colored bare: It shows the days in a week. STEP 2: READING IMPORTANT NUMBERS First, we have to read the most important points. Important points are peaks and lows. STEP 3: DEFINE TRENDS Now it is important to define all significant trends. Number of Flowers Bloom after A Week 3 \Unear (Oay 1 aba =v) gs. : tna) ee “ Line m3) =e | es tier 0095) B22 | I 2s al 1 Lins m18) hou Ferizer wth err - nes (0977) INDEPENDENT VARIABLE STEP 4: COMPARE TRENDS Knowing the trends, we can compare them, to find out differences and relations. Ave there common trend=? Is there a pattem? STEP 5: ANALYSE TRENDS: Finally, the scientist summarizes their findings and relates them to their hypothesis.6, COMMUNICATE THE RESULTS The last step of the scientific method is to communicate the vesults. Afler you gathered and anelyzed your data, you conclude your hypothesis. A conclusion is « summary of what you have leamed from an experiment, In drawing your conclusion, you should ack yourself whether the data supports your hypothesis. A plant that has no fertilizer bears a total of 20 flowers and the plant with fertiizer bears 40 flowers. ‘The trend shows a plant that has fertilizer will bear more flowers than’ the plant which was not given (fertilizer. I therefore conckude, that the fertilizer increased the number of flower and my hypothesis is correct. Other tips on how to effectively communicate the resulta of observations: 1. Keep it simple. Presenting too much information tends to cloud the most pertinent facts that we wish to convey. 2, First general, then specific. Start from presenting the observation from the general ideas then down to the specifics, Data should answer the questions identified. 4. Always use past tense in describing vesults.