Form 4 Science Chapter 1 Notes

Form 4 Science Chapter 1: Scientific Investigation Method of Scientific Investigation Scientific investigation method 1. A scientific method is a series of systematic steps which a scientist practices when conducting an investigation. 2. The steps of a scientific investigation are as follows:  Identifying the problem  Identifying the variables  Making a hypothesis  Planning the investigation  Carrying out the experiment  Collecting and recording data  Analyzing and interpreting data  Making a conclusion  Writing a report 3. Making a hypothesis  Making hypothesis is the process of forming a general statement about the relationship between the variable that is manipulated and the responding variable.  a hypothesis is also a statement of a scientific concept or principle made as a solution to the problem. 4. Planning investigation  then planning of an investigation often involves the following:  determining the apparatus and materials  determining the procedures  determining the observation to be made and measurements  determining the correct and safe techniques  determining the set of apparatus of control experiments  identifying the variables 5. Carrying out the investigation  the apparatus, materials and procedures must be handled correctly and safely when carrying out investigations.  The variables must be determined accurately  The observations must be made accurately and objectively.

6. Collecting and recording data  Data collected by measurement in digits are called quantitative data.  Data collected by more observation and do not involve accurate measurements are known as qualitative data. An assessment of the characteristics of an observation is also part of the qualitative data.  The data collected can be recorded in the form of: o Table o Graph o Pie chart o Diagram o Histogram o Bar chart 7. Analyzing and interpreting data 8. Analyzing and interpreting data 9. Making a conclusion 10.

Writing a report

A scientist must have scientific attitudes and noble values such as being curious in stating a problem statement, being honest and accurate in recording and validating data, being responsible for the safety of oneself, others and the environment when conducting an experiment, being critical and analytical thinking when proposing a hypothesis and being objective when making a conclusion.

The scientific attitudes and noble values need to be practiced when conducting a scientific investigation to ensure a better understanding and interpretation of a scientific investigation. A scientist must have scientific attitudes and noble values such as being curious in stating a problem statement, being honest and accurate in recording and validating data, being responsible for the safety of oneself, others and the environment when conducting an experiment, being critical and analytical thinking when proposing a hypothesis and being objective when making a conclusion.