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SCIENCE
Learning Activity Sheet
Quarter 1-Week 1

The Scientific Method of Investigation

QUESTION

OBSERVE HYPOTHESIS

Components of a Scientific Investigation

RESULT EXPERIMENT
CONCLUSION

https://www.australianenvironmentaleducation.com.au/education-resources/what-is-the- scientific-method/

Prepared by
MELBA D. PACALI

Cordillera Administrative Region•Mountain Province Division

Tadian 1 District•Tadian School of Arts and Trades
Name of Learner: ___________________________________ Date: _____________
Grade Level/Section: ________________________________ Score: ____________
I. Learning Competency
Describe the components of a scientific investigation. S7MTIa-1

II. Background Information

Science is all around us. Science is from the Latin word, scientia, which means “to
know”. Scientists build up the knowledge of science by finding answers to questions about
things and happenings in our nature through scientific investigation.

Components of a Scientific Investigation:

1. Making Observation
The first step you would take when investigating is to observe the
phenomenon carefully using your senses.
Example: Two pieces of towels of the same size and material are hung A
under the sun. After some time, it is observed that towel A is
dry but towel B is still damp.
Upon observing, an inference is made that the rate of drying cloth is B
influenced by the area it spreads out.
2. Identifying the Problem
The problem here refers to the question that can be solved experimentally based on the
observations. In this example you might wonder why towel A dried faster than towel B or
what made towel A dried faster than towel B.
3. Identifying the Variables
List the factors(variables) that might influence the investigation. Determine which variable to
manipulate and which responding variable to observe.
● Independent/Manipulated variable- the variable that changed to see its effect.
● Dependent/Responding variable- the variable that changes in response to the
manipulated variable.
● Fixed variable- the variable that is kept constant or unchanged.
Example: Variables identified based on the observation and the problem above.
Independent variable Surface area
Dependent variable Rate of evaporation
Fixed variable Temperature and the condition of the surrounding air
4. Formulating a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a simple statement of what one thinks will happen as a result of an
experiment that one plans to do. It usually shows the relationship between the manipulated
variable and the responding variable.
Example: The larger the surface area exposed, the faster the rate of evaporation.
5. Experimentation
An experiment is a scientific process used to examine the effect of changing one variable
while keeping all the other variables constant. A list of experimental procedures is

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determined which includes the apparatus and materials needed and the procedures on how to
do the experiment. (Note: Always observe safety measures in doing any experiment)
Example:
Materials:4 plates (the same kind with different sizes), measuring cup/spoon,
stopwatch, ruler and alcohol
Procedures:
a) Prepare the materials needed.
b) Measure the diameter of each plate and label them.
c) Measure 5ml of alcohol using the measuring cup/spoon.
d) Fill each of the four plates of different sizes with 5 ml of the same kind of alcohol.
e) Set the stopwatch and start the time for 15 minutes.
f) Observe which plate dries fastest.
g) Record the results after 30 minutes.
6. Collecting Data
Data is the outcome of controlling the variables. It refers to the observation made or
measurements taken during the process of experiment. A data table is set up to organize all
the collected data. The manipulated variable is usually placed in the first column and the
responding variable is placed in the second column or the third.
Example:
Surface area (cm) Rate of evaporation of alcohol (min)
Plate 1 (12 cm) 8
Plate 2 (10 cm) 10
Plate 3 (8 cm) 12
Plate 4 (6 cm) 14
7. Analysis and Interpretation of Results
Interpreting data involves organizing the data so that you can work with the data and then
analyze it to draw a valid conclusion. Graphing is one of the primary ways of organizing data
for interpretation.
Example: By plotting the rate of evaporation of alcohol (responding variable) on the vertical
axis and the surface area of alcohol exposed to the air (manipulated variable) on the
horizontal axis, the relationship between the two variables can be seen clearly.
8. Statement of Conclusion and Recommendation
Based on the analysis and interpretation of the data/graph, a conclusion can be made to check
and confirm whether or not the hypothesis made is accepted.
Conclusion-it summarizes the result of the experiment
Example: I therefore conclude that the larger the surface area exposed, the faster rate of
evaporation.
Recommendations- are the suggestions which can be done to improve related studies.
Example: The researcher recommends that when drying clothes, it is best to fully spread it
out under the sun.
9. Communicate the result or make a write up of the result of your investigation.

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A write up is a report containing the objective of the experiment, the hypothesis, the variables
involved, materials needed and procedure, the data/results of the investigation, the analysis
and interpretation of data and the conclusion made.
III. Directions/Instructions
● Do all the given activities to further enhance your investigative processes and be
guided with the directions given in each activity. Write your answers in this activity
sheet.
● You may ask assistance/guidance from your subject teacher/parent/or elders while
studying and performing the activities.
● Always observe safety procedures in performing activities and follow the minimum
health standards/ protocols (social distancing and wearing of facemask).

IV. Activities
Activity 1
Directions. Identify the components of a scientific investigation based on the given
statements in column B by filling the blanks provided in column A. The first letter of each
component is provided as your clue. Number one is done for you.
Answer Statements/ Description
(Component of scientific investigation)
1. Observation The use of the different sense organs.
2. I ____________________ the Problem A question which arises from observations.
The factors that might influence the
3. Identify the V______________ investigation are listed as independent,
dependent or fixed variables.
A Possible explanation/answer of a
4. F_______________ a H______________
problem.
The process of testing whether the
5. E_________________
hypothesis is right or wrong.
These are observations made or
6. C_____________________ of D_______ measurements taken during the process of
the experiment.
7. A_________________ and The data are organized for interpretation by
I______________________ graphing them.
8. C______________ and Recommendation It summarizes the result of the experiment.

Activity 2
Directions: Each sentence below describes a step of the scientific method of investigation.
Match each sentence with a step of the scientific investigation inside the box below. Write
capital letters only on the blank before the number.

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 Identify the Problem
Formulate a Hypothesis
Test the Hypothesis with an
Experiment
Draw conclusion
_____1. Eve said, “If I fertilize my geranium plants, they will blossom.”
_____2. Joe’s data showed that household cockroaches moved away from raw cucumber
slices.
_____3. Jane’s experiment proved that earthworms move away from light.
_____4. Kate used a survey to determine how many of her classmates are left-handed and
how many are right-handed.
_____5. Nick saw bats catching insects after dark. He asked, “How do bats find the insects in
the dark?”
_____6. Martin wondered if dyes could be taken out of plant leaves, flowers, and stems.
_____7. Alice soaked six different kinds of seeds in water for 24 hours. Then she planted the
seeds in soil at a depth of 1 cm. She used the same amount of water, light, and heat
for each kind of seed.
_____8. Bo read about growing plants in water. He wanted to know how plants could grow
without soil.
_____9. Keeve said, “I think plants will grow faster when exposed in red light than in white
light.”
_____10. Rey grew bacteria from the mouth on special plates in the laboratory. He places
drops of different mouthwashes on the bacteria on each plate.

Activity 3
Directions: Be a keen observer around you. Design a simple scientific investigation on a
specific problem you are interested within your locality or at home using the template below.
For example, you want to know what makes the corn plant grown by your Lola more robust.
Use the scientific method of investigation to find out the answers and write it in the boxes
provided below beside each component. Be guided with the given rubrics below. Note: You
must follow good safety procedures when working with your investigation to avoid
injury.

1. Observation

2. Question

3. Independent: ______________________________________
Variables
Dependent: _______________________________________

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 4.
Hypothesis

Procedure/Steps:
5. Experiment

6. Data

7. Conclusion

V. Rubrics for Scoring

Check one box in each row to indicate the level of performance. Give each check mark the
assigned number of points. Add the points in each column.
Points 10 9 8 7 6
Performance Level Excellent Good Average Fair Poor

Was able to write an observation and

identify the problem
Correctly identified the variables
Correctly formulated a hypothesis
Organized a procedure that would produce
useful data

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 Logically presented data in a table/graph or
other format
Correctly stated a conclusion
Used correct capitalization, punctuation,
and spelling/grammar
Points
Total Points
Comments/Suggestions
VI. Generalization:
The chart below summarizes the steps/components of the scientific method of investigation.

Make Observations Report Results

Ask Questions Reject Hypothesis if Accept Hypothesis

False if True
Try again…
Identify Variables Analyze Data/Results

Formulate Hypothesis Collect Data/Results

Experiment to test hypothesis

VII. References

https://www.teachervision.com/scientific-research-equipment/designing-experiment-rubric
https://www.thoughtco.com/scientific-method-flow-chart-609104
https://www.australianenvironmentaleducation.com.au/education-resources/what-is-the-
scientific-method/
https://www.studylib.net/doc/9596313
https://www.scribd.com//presentation/179551229/Chapter-1-Scientific-Investigation-ppt
(Uploaded by Fazza Rudy on Oct 28,2013)

VIII. Answer Key

Activity 1 Activity 2 Activity 3

2. Identify
B Answers vary.
D
3. Variables D
4. Formulate, hypothesis
C
A
5. Experimentation A
6. Collection, Data
C
6 A
7. Analyze, Interpret B
8. Conclusion
C