1.2.1 Scientific Investigation

1. The scientific method or scientific process is fundamental to scientific investigation and to the acquisition of new knowledge-based upon physical evidence.
2. The scientific inquiry method involves a systematic approach to solve scientific problems. It consists of the following steps:

Steps in the Scientific Method

1. Making observation
   • An investigation usually begins with an observation of a phenomenon.
   • Observation is to observe and gather information about the phenomenon.
2. Making Inferences
   [Making inferences is a process to form an early logical conclusion to explain the phenomenon.]
   • After gathering sufficient information, we make an inference, or early conclusion, based on what has been observed.
   • The inference may or may not be true and need to be proven true or false with further investigation.
3. Identifying problem
   • Asking questions based on the inference made to identify the problem related to the observation.
4. Making a hypothesis
   • A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon.
   • Normally, it is a general statement about the relationship between the manipulated variable and a responding variable in order to explain the question asked.
5. Identifying variables
   • A variable is a factor that affects other factors in an experiment.
   • In a scientific investigation, we need to identify all related variables.
   • There are three types of variable, namely
     
     1. Manipulated variable — the factor that is purposely changed in an experiment
     2. Responding variable — the factor that changes with the manipulated variable
     3. Fixed variables — the factors that are kept constant throughout an experiment. This is to ensure that other factors do not affect the results of the experiment.
6. Controlling variables
   • Deciding how to repeat the experiment several times by using different values of the manipulated variable.
   • This step is to test the consistency in the experiment and also to relate the manipulated variable to the responding variable.
7. Designing the experiment
   • Deciding how to carry out the experiment, including determine the material, apparatus, experiment sets out and the procedure to take.
   • Always keep in mind that the main purpose of the experiment is to test the hypothesis.
8. Carrying Out the Experiment
   • After the planning of the experiment is done, you will need to carry out the experiment according to the procedure.
9. Collecting data
   • Make observations in the experiment by watching and measuring.
   • Measure the quantities accurately using suitable measuring instruments and units.
   • All data are collected and recorded in a proposed table.
10. Analysing and interpreting data
    • After collecting the data, you will need to analyse the results of the experiment.
    • Data analysis is the step to studies information by breaking it down into smaller parts.
    • The results can be presented in various forms, such as a table, graph or chart.
11. Making a conclusion
    • Draw conclusions based on the observations and results.
    • State whether the hypothesis is true or false.
12. Writing the report
    • A report is written after an experiment is performed.
    • The format of the report is arranged based on the scientific investigation method which is performed systematically; starting from the problems identified to the last stage.
    • State any precautions taken to overcome problems in the experiment.
    • A simple diagram of the experiment set-up would sometime be useful.