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.