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Science
First Quarter – Module 1B
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION:
Identifying Problems an Making
Observations

ls from the Division of Misamis Occidental. We encourage teachers and other education stakeholders to email their f

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

 What I Need to Know

Science assumes that we can learn about the natural world by

gathering evidence through our senses and extensions of our senses.
Scientists anchor their frame of mind on curiosity. They do not usually
accept an explanation without evidence or proof. To prove their point, they
usually consider steps especially, identifying problems and making
observations.

The process of science begins with an identification of problems and

making observations. An observation is any information that is gathered
with the senses. People often have questions about things they see, hear,
or observe in other ways.

After going through this module, you are expected to describe the
components of a scientific investigation (S7MT-Ia-1).

Specifically, you are also expected to:

1. identify and describe scientific problems and make observations

through the given scenarios/ situations;
2. construct a problem based on the given scenarios/ situations; and
3. develop the value of being a keen observer.

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you master the first two steps in Scientific Method: Identifying Problems
and Making Observations. The scope of this module permits you to use
different learning situations. You have to extend your patience in
understanding and analyzing what you are reading. Follow the directions in
the activities and answer the given test and exercises properly.

What I Know
Directions: Identify whether the following situations are Identifying
Problem or Making Observation. Write IP if the situation given identifies
problem and MO if the situation given is an observation. Write your
answers in your Science activity notebook.

_______ 1. Dana wanted to find out how grown plants with fertilizer are
different from natural grown plants.
_______ 2. Teachers like when their students participate in classroom
discussions.
_______ 3. Girls wearing Sunday dresses look beautiful and cool.
_______ 4. Jose saw bats catching insects after dark. He asked, “Why
bats can see in the dark?”
_______ 5. People who live in the farm like dogs.

For items 6-15, read each question carefully. Choose the letter of your
answer and write it in your Science activity notebook.
6. Your mother sent you to the market to buy fruits and vegetables. How
did you choose the quality of fruits and vegetables?
A) Asked the vendor to choose it for you.
B) Just took any kind and paid right away.
C) Examined the skin of fruit free of insect bites and dark spots.
D) Asked other costumer to choose the vegetables and fruits for you.
7. A step in scientific method that may begin with what, when, who, which,
why, where or how.
A) Gathering Data C) Forming Hypothesis
B) Identifying Problem D) Making Observations
8. It is any information that is gathered using the senses.
A) Data C) Observation
B) Situation D) Communicate
9. What is the first step in scientific method?
A) Gathering Data C) Forming Hypothesis
B) Identifying Problem D) Making Observations
10. Where does scientific knowledge comes from?
A) Textbooks C) Experimentation
B) Observation D) Guess
11. What step in scientific method is used when a researcher listens to the
sounds of the whale?
A) Interpreting data C) Making observations
B) Drawing conclusions D) Making a hypothesis
12. Which question has measurable observation?
A) Who made the first microscope?
B) How many giraffes live in Africa?
C) How long ago did dinosaurs live on the Earth?
D) Does the amount of salt in water affect the temperature at which it
boils?
13. How do you call the process of obtaining information by using the
senses?
A) Inquiry C) Observation
B) Conclusion D) Scientific method
14. A series of steps designed to help you solve problems and answer
questions.
A) Hypothesis C) Observation
B) Experiment D) Scientific method
15. Which of the following statements would be true of the scientific
method?
A) People structure their lives on the principle of scientific method.
B) Scientists report the experimental results, but not the experimental
design.
C) The scientific method is a continuous process by which people
learn about his world.
D) When the results of the experiment do not fit the hypothesis, a
scientist may discard the results and stop the experiment.
Lesson

1 Identifying Problems

What’s In

Scientific Investigation is the way in which scientists and researchers

use a systematic approach to answer questions about the world around us.
It is a way to find the answer to a question using the scientific method.

Before you proceed to the next lesson, I want you to look around your
backyard and identify problems or questions that you ever think of
regarding the environment. Write your answers in your Science activity
notebook.
 What’s New

Activity 1.1: State the Problem

Directions: Observe the picture presented. Give a short description on
what you have seen in the picture. Write your answer in your Science
activity notebook.

Photo Credits: Rizza Mae L. Serino

Guide Question:

1. What is the problem that you can identify from the picture?
____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________

What is It

Step 1. Identifying the Problem

In identifying the problem in a situation, it

must begin with a question that is based on
an observation and may begin with what,
when, who, which, why, where or how. The
problem to solve must be something which
is measurable and observable. It may be an
open – ended question that can be
answered through an experiment.

Example of a Problem Statement:

 “Why everybody should wear mask during this CoVID – 19
pandemic?"

In order to come up with a problem, one must observe and be curious

about the environment. For example, your friend Carmel has observed that
most of the people in their area are wearing mask. She also observed that
people wearing mask are less prone to the virus than those who are not
wearing mask. Carmel then wonders whether wearing a mask is important
in protecting oneself against the CoVId – 19 virus that is spreading in their
community. Based on the example given, Carmel can now formulate a
problem based on her observations.

TAKE The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an

infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is
NOTE known to target a person’s respiratory system. Such
virus can be transmitted through air and can enter into
your mouth, nose and eyes. Hence, wearing mask is
important to keep us away from the virus.

What's More

Activity 1.2: Give Me the Problem

Given the following scenarios, give at least 3 or more problems in
each scenario. Write your answers in your Science activity notebook.

Scenarios:
 1. Your car won’t start.

2. You received a failing grade in your test.

3. You have a sore throat.

4. Your plants did not grow.

Great Job! Congratulations! You have successfully finished Lesson

1. You can now proceed to Lesson 2. I hope you learn something from
this lesson.

Lesson

2 Making Observations

What’s In

In the first lesson, you were introduced to the first step in Scientific
Method which is Identifying Problems or asking questions about what you
have observed. This time, you are going to proceed to the second step of
the scientific method.

Before you proceed, examine first the following situations to be able

to identify the problem. I want you to make or gather at least two
observations per problem and write your answers in your Science activity
notebook.

Situations:

 You have a sore throat.

 Your plants did not grow.

What’s New
Activity 2.1: Spot the Difference
Directions: Using the pictures below, spot five or more differences you can
see. Write your answers in your Science activity notebook.

a.
Source:https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/534098837052256321/?
amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID(_)&mweb_unauth_id=%7B%7Bdefault.session%7D%7D

b.
Source: https://www.onehundredtoys.com/pages/spot-the-difference-download

What is It

Step 2. Making Observations

After identifying the problem, the second step in scientific
method is to make observations or gather information about
the problem being identified. An observation is any information
that is gathered with the senses. People often have questions
about things they see, hear, or observe in other ways.
 In this step, the investigator will find ways to gather information and
make observations regarding the problem in order to avoid repeating
mistakes from the past. You can use the library, internet and media or
recall any past experiences about the problem you are going to solve and
observe.

For example,
Source:

https://www.onehundredtoys.com/pages/spot-the-difference-download

When you look directly in the picture you can see the similarities and
differences based on your answers in Activity 2.1. This process is making
observation by using your sense of sight. Making observations and
gathering information are necessary steps in scientific investigation in order
to avoid making mistakes.

Your observations can be classified into two: qualitative or quantitative

observations.

QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE
OBSERVATIONS OBSERVATIONS

- observations made that - observations made using

involves the use of your measuring instruments
senses (sight, smell, touch such as rulers, balances,
and hearing) to yield graduated cylinders,
 results. beakers, and
thermometers.

From the given example above,

Quantitative Observation: There are 7 differences between the two

pictures.

Qualitative Observation: The fox is wearing a hat in first picture

while there is no hat present on the second
picture.

What’s More

Activity 2.2: Observe and Gather More!

Directions: Based from the problems identified in Activity 1.2, I want you to
make observations and gather information for each situation. Write your
answers in your Science notebook.
Situations:

 Your car won’t start.

 You received a failing grade in your test.

What I Have Learned

Fill in the Blanks

Directions: Using what you have learned in this module, I want you to fill in
the blanks with the correct word. Write your answers in your Science
notebook.

______(1)_____ uses their frame of mind on curiosity. They do not

usually accept an explanation without evidence or proof. To prove their
point, they usually consider steps in doing investigation. The first step in
scientific method is _______(2)____ wherein it must begin with a question
that is based on an observation and may begin with what, when, who
which, why, where or how. It should also be a(n) ________(3)______
question that can be answered through an experiment.

On the other hand, _____(4)______ is the second step in scientific

method. A(n) ______(5)______ is any information that is gathered with the
senses. In this step, the scientist will find out the ______(6)_____ and
make observations regarding the problem. Observations can be qualitative
or quantitative.  (7)  describes properties or occurrences in ways
that do not use measurement. While (8)  are based on
measured quantities (number and unit).

What I Can Do

Activity 3: Check this Out

Directions: Make an interview of at least 3 to 5 family members within your
household. Based from the data you gathered, answer the questions that
follow. Write your answers in your Science notebook.

Check the Age Bracket Total

What is the most common
sickness among family 31an
members? 11- 21- d
0-10
20 30 abov
e
a. Colds (Sip-on)
b. Cough (Ubo)
c. Diarrhea (Kalibanga)
d. Fever (Hilanat)
 e. Measles (Tipdas)
f. Other/ Please specify

Guide Questions:

1. What is the most common sickness experienced in your family?

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____
2. At what particular age bracket of the family members mostly are affected
by the illness?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____
3. State the major health problem experienced by any of your family
members?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____
4. Make observations on your sick family member and find out the possible
causes.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____

Assessment

Now, that you are done accomplishing the module, let us check your
understanding about the lesson presented in this module. Read carefully
and answer the questions given below. Choose the letter of the correct
answer and write your answers in your Science notebook.

____ 1. What step of scientific method is used when a scientist listens to

the sounds that whales make?
A) Interpreting data C) Making observations
B) Drawing conclusions D) Making a hypothesis
_____ 2. Which question is categorized as a high level scientific question?
A) Who made the first microscope?
B) How many giraffes live in Africa?
 C) How long ago did dinosaurs live on the Earth?
D) Does the amount of salt in water affect the temperature at which it
boils?
_____ 3. What is the process of obtaining information by using the senses?
A) Scientific method C) Observation
B) Conclusion D) Inquiry
_____ 4. A series of steps designed to help you solve problems and
answer questions.
A) hypothesis C) observation
B) experiment D) scientific method
_____ 5. Which of the following statements would be true of the scientific
method?
A) People structure their lives on the principle of scientific method.
B) Scientists report the experimental results, but not the experimental
design.
C) The scientific method is a continuous process by which people learn
about his world.
D) When the results of the experiment do not fit the hypothesis, a scientist
may discard the results and stop the experiment.
_____ 6. Suppose your mother send you to the market to buy fruits and
vegetables. How will you choose the quality of fruits and vegetables?
A) Ask the vendor to choose it for you.
B) Just get any kind then pay right away.
C) Examine the skin of fruit free of insect bites and dark spots.
D) Ask other costumer to choose the vegetables and fruits for you.
_____ 7. What do you call the step in scientific method that may begin with
what, when, who which, why, where or how?
A) Gathering Data C) Forming Hypothesis
B) Identifying Problem D) Making Observations
_____ 8. It is any information that is gathered using the senses.
A) Data C) Observation
B) Information D) Communicate
_____ 9. The first step in scientific method is __________.
 A) Gathering Data C) Forming Hypothesis
B) Identifying Problem D) Making Observations
_____ 10. All scientific knowledge comes from?
A) Textbooks C) Experimentation
B) Observation D) Guess

For items 11 – 15, Identify each situation as identifying problem or making

observations. Write IP for identifying problem and MO for making
observations.

_______ 11. Dana wanted to find out how grown plants with fertilizer are
different from natural grown plants.
_______ 12. Teachers like when their students participate in classroom
discussions.
_______ 13. Girls wearing Sunday dresses look beautiful and cool.
_______ 14. Jose saw bats catching insects after dark. He asked, “Why
bats can see in the dark?”
_______ 15. People who live in the farm like dogs.

Additional Activities

Activity 4: Research Me!

Below is a situation. How will you go about verifying the evidence to
answer a problem? Write as many hypotheses you can derived based from
the situation in your Science activity notebook.

1. Fishes in a fishpond just one cool morning starts to float. Most of them
are already dead and the local Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR) pronounced fishkill in the pond.
Congratulations! You have successfully completed Module 1B. I hope
you learn something.