Topic 4: Scientific Investigation - Science Standard Three (Darasa la Tatu) Notes
What is scientific investigation?
A scientific investigation is the process of finding answers to questions using various research methods.
- Research involves searching information.
- We search information for the purpose of creating new knowledge or advancing the existing knowledge.
What are the reasons for conducting a scientific investigation?
Reasons for conducting a scientific investigation
a) To find out answers to scientific questions.
b) To generate new knowledge or ideas.
c) To prove or disprove scientific principles.
d) To test hypothesis.
e) To describe natural phenomena.
Mention the materials for scientific investigation
Materials for scientific investigation
a) Living things
- Like plants, or their parts such as leaves, stems, seeds, roots or flowers;
or - Animals or their body parts such as meat, bones and hair;
b) Non-living things
- such as soil, stones, water, acids, bases and salt
c) Tools
- Such as tape measure, beam balance, stopwatch, thermometer and beaker;
- Tools for observing very small organisms or objects, such as hand lens and microscope;
- Materials or containers for keeping or storing samples for example plastic bags, bottles and fridge
d) Materials for recording data, which include notebook, pen, marker pen and pencil.
What steps are followed when conducting a scientific investigation?
Scientific investigation involves the following systematic procedures.
a) Problem identification
b) Hypothesis formulation
c) Preparing materials for experiment
d) Conducting an experiment collecting data
e) Analysing data
f) Interpreting results
g) Conclusion
h) And writing a scientific report
Steps in conducting a scientific investigation
1. Problem identification
The first step in conducting a scientific investigation is to identify the problem which needs to be solved or which requires an answer.
For example, the differences in growth of amaranth between the two gardens could be a problem which can be explained through a scientific investigation.
2.Hypothesis formulation
A hypothesis is an intelligent guess about the cause of the problem under investigation.
In this step, you guess the cause of the identified problem or what could be the answer to the problem at hand.
Importance of hypothesis formulation
It helps to set direction of an investigation which will accept or reject the hypothesis.
3. Preparation of materials for the experiment
This step involves:
a) Gathering the materials needed to collect information in your investigation.
b) Identify the location where the investigation will be conducted.
4. Conducting the experiment and collecting data
- In this step, the experiment is conducted by using the prepared materials.
- Also it involves data collection from the experiment.
Data should be collected and recorded in a notebook.
5. Data analysis
This involves organising, sorting and arranging data properly.
6. Interpretation of results
a) In this step, the analysed data are interpreted in order to obtain meaningful information.
b) The interpreted results can be presented through descriptions, tables, figures, charts and graphs.
Importance of interpretation of results
- Enable others who are interested in the study to understand the problem and solutions.
7. Conclusion
This step involves proving the hypothesis.
You can also link the results obtained with the cause of the problem and the question you asked.
8. Writing a scientific report
A scientific report is written after completing the scientific investigation.
It is organised in a systematic order.
Exercise
1. Arrange the following steps for conducting a scientific experiment in the correct order:
Conducting an experiment and collecting data, Hypothesis formulation, Interpretation of results, Conclusion, Problem identification, Data analysis, Preparation of materials for an experiment, Writing scientific report.
2. State the importance of the following steps of scientific investigation.
(a) Hypothesis formulation
(b) Interpretation of results
(c) Conclusion
Revision exercise
Section A: Write TRUE for a correct statement and FALSE for an incorrect statement.
1. Animals need air to survive.
2. A Standard Three pupil can do an experiment and discover new knowledge.
3. Development of science and technology does not need scientific investigation.
4. The aim of scientific investigation is to avoid guessing of findings.
5. You can get scientific answers through stories.
Section B
6. A pupil tried to find out answers to the question “how plants respond to stimuli?” List the steps that the pupil had to follow to get the answers.
Vocabulary
Data - information derived from an experiment or research used to explain or prove something
Germination - development of a plant from a seed
Hypothesis - inferences or preliminary predictions about the causes of the identified problem
Scientific procedure - steps followed when conducting an experiment that help in solving a Problem