1.2 - Scientific Investigation
Learning Outcomes• To state various ways of studying Biology• To identify variables in a given situation• To identify the relationship between two
variables to form a hypothesis• To design and carry out a simple
experiment to test the hypothesis• To record and present data in a suitable
form• To interpret data to draw conclusions• To write a report on an experiment• To practice scientific attitudes and noble
values
VARIOUS WAYS OF STUDYING BIOLOGY
• Conducting experiment & carrying out projects.
• Involves acquiring scientific skills, using the scientific method & practising scientific attitudes & noble values
• Can be divided into two : science process skills & manipulative skills
•Science process skills – critical, analytical & creative thinking skills which enable a scientist to formulate questions & find out the answers & explanations to a phenomenon in a systematic manner.
•Manipulative skills – psychomotor skills that enable scientists to cary out an investigation.
SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS• OBSERVING• CLASSIFYING
• MEASURING & USING NUMBERS• INFERRING
• PREDICTING• COMMUNICATING
• USE SPACE-TIME RELATIONSHIP• INTERPRETING DATA
• DEFINING THROUGH OPERATIONS• CONTROLLING VARIABLES
• HYPOTHESISING• EXPERIMENTING
OBSERVINGUsing the sense of
hearing, touch, smell, taste & sight to collect information about an
object or a phenomenon
CLASSIFYING
Using observations to group objects or events according to
similarities or differences.
MEASURING & USING NUMBERSMaking quantitative observations using
numbers & tools with standardised units. Measuring makes observation more
accurate.
INFERRINGUsing past
experiences or previously collected
data to draw conclusions & explain
events
PREDICTINGStating the outcome of
a future event based on prior knowledge
gained through experiences or collected data
COMMUNICATING
Using words or graphic symbols such as
tables, graphs, figures or models to describe an action, object or
event.
USING SPACE-TIME
RELATIONSHIPDescribing changes in parameter with time.
Examples of parameters are
location, direction, shape, size, volume,
weight & mass.
INTERPRETING DATA
Giving rational explanations about an object, event or
pattern derived from collected data.
DEFINING OPERATIONALLYDefining concepts by describing what
must be done & what should be
observed.
CONTROLLING VARIABLES
Identifying the fixed variables,
manipulated variable & responding variable
in an investigation.
HYPOTHESISINGMaking a general statement
about the relationship between a manipulated variable & a responding
variable in order to explain an event or observation. This statement can be tested to
determine its validity.
EXPERIMENTINGPlanning & conducting
activities to test a certain hypothesis.
These activities include collecting, analysing &
interpreting data & making conclusions.
MANIPULATIVE SKILLS• USE & HANDLE SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS &
LABORATORY SUBSTANCES CORRECTLY• HANDLE SPECIMENS CORRECTLY &
CAREFULLY• DRAW SPECIMENS, APPARATUS &
LABORATORY SUBSTANCES ACCURATELY• CLEAN SCIENCE APPARATUS CORRECTLY• STORE SCIENCE APPARATUS &
LABORATORY SUBSTANCES CORRECTLY & SAFELY
SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDES & NOBLE VALUES
• Having an interest & curiosity towards the environment
• Being honest & accurate in recording & validating data
• Being diligent & persevering• Being responsible about the safety of oneself,
others & the environment• Realising that science is a means to
understand nature• Appreciating & practising clean & healthy
living
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
•Employ by biological scientists to discover the phenomena of life.
•The scientific method – the process of gathering facts based on an observable event or phenomenon @ a process of obtaining a fact about a phenomenon using a method recognised by the scientific community.
IDENTIFYING A PROBLEM
• Determine the problem to be solve by; (a) observing the situation or
phenomena, (b) identifying the variables• In the form of a question to be answered.• Must show the relationship between the
manipulated variable and responding variable.
FORMING A HYPOTHESIS• A smart guess or prediction to explain
the problem• Answer for the problem• A statement to explain the relationship
between the manipulated variable and responding variable.
• Eg.:The heavier the school bag, the faster the heartbeat.
PLANNING THE EXPERIMENT• Plan an experiment to test the hypothesis• Determine the steps in planning
experiment : apparatus/materials, technique, procedures, type of measurements, methods, way of presenting data
• Write out the design plan of the experiment
IDENTIFYING & CONTROLLING VARIABLES
• Identified the variables :
*Manipulated : how to alter the manipulated variable in the experimen
*Responding : What to observe, measure and record
*Controlled : How to maintain the controlled variable so that it is kept constant during the experiment
CONDUCTING THE EXPERIMENT
• Carried out as planned• Have to observed :
i. The apparatus & materials are handled correctly, cleaned & stored safely
ii. The variables are well-controlled.
iii. The results being collected and recorded carefully.
iv. A control experiment is also set up.
COLLECTING DATA
• Form of a table, graph and/or diagram
ANALYSING & INTERPRETING DATA
• Find a suitable explanation for what has been observed.
• Analyse the relationship between the manipulated & the responding variables.
• Look for a pattern in the data• Think critically to explain the results
clearly
DRAWING/FORMING A CONCLUSION
• Determine whether the data supports the hypothesis
• Decide whether the hypothesis is valid or not
• Make a general statement about the results of the investigation, based on hypothesis
WRITING A REPORT
• A complete report of the experiment is written to following format
(Refer to text book, page 10)
EXERCISE 1.21. What are the two main scientific skills
used in the biological studies?
2. Define science process skills & give four examples.
3. Define manipulative skills & give two examples.
4. State the typical format for the report of an experiment.