SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS: SKILLS:
PLANNING STEPS:
- Get permission from …. (Principal/municipality/participants)
- Decide on the duration of the investigation.
- Determine the sample size to be used.
- Determine the equipment to be used to conduct the investigation
- Determine how data will be collected.
Purpose of a CONTROL
- To ensure that the results are due the factor being tested and nothing else
- To improve validity of the investigation
- To compare the results
Identifying VARIABLES
Independent variable – Get from the AIM of the experiment not from the table or
graph given
Dependant variable - Get from the AIM of the experiment not from the table or graph
given
Constant variables – factors/variables that remain the SAME during the investigation
CONCLUSION: Must always be linked to the AIM
RELIABILITY
- NORM – Repeat the investigation and increase the sample size(Not tested
like this always)
- Must be according to the information given in the question. Look for:
1. Was the investigation repeated?, if not then you cannot write that. If you
find that the investigation was done for a long period of time eg 6 months
then that can be considered as reliable.
2. Was a large sample size used? If so write down-used a large sample size
or used 300 plants etc in the investigation.
- You can also be asked: Why did the scientists use 300 plants instead of 10.
Answer: To increase reliability
HYPOTHESIS
Definition: Testable statement that can be accepted or rejected
Writing the hypothesis:
- Identify the Independent and Dependant variables from the AIM of the
investigation.
- Look at the table or graph given to you and answer the question below:
- Answer the question: What EFFECT does the independent variable have on
the dependant variable? The answer now becomes your hypothesis.
EFFECT will be: increases/decreases/no effect.
DRAWINGS:
1. Draw a frame 10cm by 10cm
PLANNING STEPS:
- Get permission from …. (Principal/municipality/participants)
- Decide on the duration of the investigation.
- Determine the sample size to be used.
- Determine the equipment to be used to conduct the investigation
- Determine how data will be collected.
Purpose of a CONTROL
- To ensure that the results are due the factor being tested and nothing else
- To improve validity of the investigation
- To compare the results
Identifying VARIABLES
Independent variable – Get from the AIM of the experiment not from the table or
graph given
Dependant variable - Get from the AIM of the experiment not from the table or graph
given
Constant variables – factors/variables that remain the SAME during the investigation
CONCLUSION: Must always be linked to the AIM
RELIABILITY
- NORM – Repeat the investigation and increase the sample size(Not tested
like this always)
- Must be according to the information given in the question. Look for:
1. Was the investigation repeated?, if not then you cannot write that. If you
find that the investigation was done for a long period of time eg 6 months
then that can be considered as reliable.
2. Was a large sample size used? If so write down-used a large sample size
or used 300 plants etc in the investigation.
- You can also be asked: Why did the scientists use 300 plants instead of 10.
Answer: To increase reliability
HYPOTHESIS
Definition: Testable statement that can be accepted or rejected
Writing the hypothesis:
- Identify the Independent and Dependant variables from the AIM of the
investigation.
- Look at the table or graph given to you and answer the question below:
- Answer the question: What EFFECT does the independent variable have on
the dependant variable? The answer now becomes your hypothesis.
EFFECT will be: increases/decreases/no effect.
DRAWINGS:
1. Draw a frame 10cm by 10cm
