Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Division of Ilocos Sur

SELF LEARNING KIT IN

7
SCIENCE
LESSON TITLE: SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
_______________________________________________________

Name of Teacher –Writer: JOCELYN P. OLANGCO

School: SINAIT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
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This Self Learning Kit is a learning tool that helps and guides you to
answer the many questions that you have on how to conduct scientific
investigation. This learning tool will discuss the different components of
scientific investigation and how to use the scientific method. Varied examples
are included to help you understand the different components of the scientific
method.
For you to completely understand every lesson, read the reminders on
how to use this Self Learning Kit. If you can follow these, I am very sure you
will easily understand the concept and have fun in the process too. So read
on and happy studying.
1. Take care of this learning material. Do not tear out any pages.
2. Do not miss any part of the learning kit. Read everything from the
first page up to the last.
3. Do all the activities and assessment given. Answer them honestly to
the best that you can. Make sure you understand the instruction
very well before carrying out.
4. Take a note and record points for clarification.
5. Be sure to finish the Self Learning Kit within the week.

Describe the components of a scientific investigation. K to 12

BEC CG: S7MT-Ia-1
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. Describe the components of a scientific
investigation
2. Appreciate the importance of following the
steps of the scientific method in performing
scientific investigation
3. Apply the steps of the scientific method in

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 The activity below will give you an overview of the topic
that will be discussed in this Self learning kit. It will also
measure your knowledge on the proper steps that you are
going to follow when you conduct scientific investigation. You
need to answer the following questions below to test your prior
knowledge about the lesson.

Title of the Activity: PROPER ARRANGEMENT

DIRECTIONS: Arrange the following statements from the first to the last order of
steps if you conduct a scientific investigation. Use numbers 1-8 and write it before
each statement.

_______ Observe and record all results.

______ Gather information related to the problem.

_______State the problem in a question form.

_______ State the conclusion based on the gathered data.

_______ Form a hypothesis.

_______ Write down the procedures that you will use to test your hypothesis.

_______The experiment following the procedure.

_______ Interpret data.

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 In the previous activity you were asked to arrange some
steps to follow in conducting an investigation. In order to
conduct a scientific investigation, scientists used a systematic
process of investigation known as scientific method. Scientific
method is a standard on how to do research that aims to
discover new knowledge. By studying the steps of the scientific
method, you will learn how to find solutions to the problems
about your environment. Now, to understand better the
procedures involved in scientific method, read carefully the
following concepts:
Scientific investigation is a quest to find answer to a question using the
scientific method.
The scientific method is a systematic method that you can use to gather
knowledge about the world around you, improve that knowledge and attempt to
explain why and how things occur.
Systematic method follows an orderly or step by step procedures.

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Observation
•Acquiring information about the world around you using the different
senses like seeing, listening, touching, hearing, tasting etc.
•It usually leads to ideas or tentative explanation to the problem.
2. Statement of the Problem
• Problem is the question that you are trying to answer.
• Is a statement of a current issue or a natural phenomenon that
requires timely action to improve the situation: usually in question form
and it leads you to investigate.
Example: What factor affects the growth of plants?
3. Formulation of Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is an educated guess or tentative answer to the problem
you have stated to explain the occurring phenomena based on prior
observations.
•All hypotheses must be testable by gathering evidence that can be
measured.
Example: Fertilizers have an effect on the growth of plants.
4. Experimentation
• An experiment is a set of manipulations or specific observations of
nature, and it is considered the most important part of the scientific
method. It must be set up and performed to test the hypothesis and
must have a variable.

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 • The part of the experiment without the variable being tested is called
control group. The part that contains the variable being tested is called
experimental group.
5. Analysis of Data
• Data is a set of values, it may be quantitative or qualitative.
Quantitative data is a numerical information that can be measured or
counted like 3.3%, 85 kg. and 37°C. Qualitative data is a descriptive
information about characteristics that are collected from observations
like saltier, taller and heavier. Data obtained from experiments should
be analysed and presented systematically. The data may be presented
using a table for easy interpretation. Table 1 below is an example of
how data are presented.

Table 1
Experimental Data
Setup Initial Height Frequency of Treatment Growth
of Plant Watering Given for Three of Plants
Weeks
Group A 15 cm Twice a week 200 ml of plain 18 cm
water
Group B 15 cm Twice a week 200 ml of 32 cm
fertilizer solution

6. Creating Conclusion
• A conclusion is a summary of results of the experiment and the
statement of how results match up to the hypothesis. There are two
options for a conclusion. One is to reject the hypothesis and the other
one is to accept it. If a good conclusion has been tested often enough
and showed valid and reliable results each time, it then becomes a
theory, a scientifically accepted fact.

Two types of Conclusion

Reject the Hypothesis Accept the Hypothesis

Fertilizer does not affect the growth of There is a significant relationship

plants. between the growth of plants and the
use of fertilizer.

•A theory that has been tested and confirmed by various experiments

becomes a scientific law, a statement or principle that is universally
accepted.

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Variables In An Experiment
Variable is anything that you can change or control in an experiment.

Types of Variable
a. Independent Variables – are the factors that you change or alter during the
experiment. These variables are cause corresponding effects in other
variables. The amount or the presence of nitrogen fertilizer is considered
an independent variable.
b. Dependent Variables – are variables that you observe and they are
considered the response to an independent variable like the growth of
plant in terms of height, number of leaves and other characteristics.
c. Controlled variables – are variables that are kept constant. They do not
receive any treatment. Examples of controlled variables are the amount of
water and sunlight received by the plants, the temperature, the amount
and type of soil and the size of the pot where the seeds are planted.

You had learned that there are steps to follow in

performing a scientific method. For you to understand how to
use the scientific method properly, you need to read and
understand the example below. After this you will be equipped
with the correct knowledge on how to use the scientific

Steps of the Scientific Method

OBSERVATION

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

FORMULATION OF HYPOTHESIS
HHYPOTHESIS

EXPERIMENTATION

ANALYSIS OF DATA

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 CREATING CONCLUSION
Example:

Clara noticed in their vegetable garden that eggplants grew well on moist soil.
She decided to try to find out why. Her Science 6 teacher told them before that
plants need water in order to survive. Basing from this statement, she figured out the
answer to her problem. Eggplants need a lot of water to grow. She then went to their
vegetable garden and planted eggplants of the same size and variety in 4 pots. The
eggplants were grown in the same type of soil. They all received the same amount of
light, and they were all kept at the same temperature. The only difference is the
amount of water applied to the plants. Pot 1 received 100 ml of water every other
day. Pot 2 received 150 ml of water every other day while 200 ml of water every
other day for pot 3. Eggplant planted in pot 4 received 250 ml of water every other
day. She measured the height or the plant every week. After 30 days she observed
that the plant in pot 1 had grown an average of 3 inches. The plant in pot 2 had an
average of 6 inches while the plant in pot 3 had an average of 8 inches. The
eggplant in pot 4 had an average growth of 12 inches. She then decided that the
amount of water that an eggplant receives affects its growth. Eggplants that receive
more water, grow more.

Let us now try to apply the steps of the scientific method using the scenario above.

1. Observation: She observed that eggplants grew well on moist soil.

2. Statement of the Problem: Why did the eggplants grow well on moist soil?

3. Hypothesis: Eggplants need a lot of water to grow.

4. Experimentation: Clara planted eggplant of the same size and variety in 4

different pots with the same type of soil, amount of light and temperature. It
only differed on the amount of water applied to the plant.
Dependent Variable: The height of the plant
Independent Variable: Amount of water applied to the plant

5. Analysis of Data: The eggplant planted in plot 4 grew the highest.

6. Conclusion: The amount of water that an eggplant receives affects its growth.
Eggplants that receive more water grow more.

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 After learning that important concepts of the lesson you are
now ready to answer the activities I prepared for you. Kindly
answer the all the activities in this learning kit.

Name: __________________________ Date: _______________

Grade/Section: ____________________ Score: ______________

Title of the Activity: SUPPLY THE MISSING WORD

Most Essential Learning Competency: Describe the components of a scientific
investigation. K to 12 BEC CG: S7MT-Ia-1

Direction: Read each sentences below and choose the best answer from
the word bank to complete the sentence. Write your answer on the space
provided.

hypothesis data experiment

scientific method conclusion problem

1. A _________________________ is a result of keen observation and

awareness of what is going on in your surroundings.
2. _________________________ are the numerical values recorded during an
experiment.
3. _________________________ is a set of steps scientists follow to answer
questions about the world.
4. A _________________________ is what you think will happen based on what
you already know, it also means a guess.

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5. When your experiment is complete, you observe your results, compare them
with your hypothesis, and draw a _____________________________________

Name: __________________________ Date: ________________

Grade/Section: ___________________ Score: _______________

Title of the Activity: SCIENTIFIC METHOD CROSSWORD

Most Essential Learning Competency: Describe the components of a
scientific investigation
K to 12 BEC CG: S7MT-Ia-1
Direction: .Complete the crossword puzzle below. Write your answer on
the space provided.

S E E

N E A

A E

P
E

Y
E V

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Name: __________________________ Date: ________________
Grade/Section: ___________________ Score: _______________

Title of the Activity: LAURA’S DETERGENT

Most Essential Learning Competency: Describe the components of a
scientific investigation
K to 12 BEC CG: S7MT-Ia-1
Direction: .In the following situation, identify the problem, independent
variable, dependent variable and conclusion. Read the story and then
answer the questions.

Laura noticed that her favourite pants were not as clean as they used
to be. Her friend Karen told her that she should try using Clean-C Detergent, a
new brand of laundry soap she found at a grocery store. Laura made sure to
wash one pair of pants in pure water and another pair in water with the Clean-
C detergent. After washing both pairs of pants a total of three times, the pants
washed in the Clean-C detergent did not appear to be any cleaner than the
pants washed in plain water.

1. What did Laura observe in her pants?____________________________

____________________________________________________________
2. What was the problem Laura wanted to investigate?__________________
___________________________________________________________

3. What is the independent variable?________________________________

___________________________________________________________

4. What is the dependent variable?_________________________________

___________________________________________________________

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5. What should Laura’s conclusion be?______________________________
___________________________________________________________

•Scientific investigation is a quest to find answer to a

question using the scientific method.
•Scientific method is a systematic process that involves using
measurable observations to formulate, test or modify a
hypothesis.
•Observation is what one perceives through the senses.
•A hypothesis is a tentative explanation about a set of
observations.
•An independent variable is the factor that is changed or
manipulated in an experiment.
•A dependent variable is the factor that is measured in an
experiment.
•Conclusion is the outcome of an experiment based on the
data gathered.

There are factors that affect the growth of plants like

sunlight, water and fertilizer applied to the plant. Write a simple
application of the scientific method to test the effect of one
factor that can affect the growth of plant.

In your answer, be sure to:

•state the problem in a question form
•state one hypothesis to answer the problem
•state how the control group would be treated differently from
the experimental group
Write your output in a short bond paper.

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Name: ____________________________ Date: __________________
Grade/Section: _____________________ Score: _________________

Title of the Activity: WHAT AM I?

Most Essential Learning Competency: Describe the components of a scientific
investigation
K to 12 BEC CG: S7MT-Ia-1
Direction: .Read and understand the questions carefully. Write your answer on
the space provided.

I come once the problem is identified. I

am a simple statement that presents the
possible solution to the problem. What
am I? 1.

_______________________

I am done in order to test your

hypothesis, I am also considered the
2. ________________________
most important part of the scientific
method. What am I?
I am a list of the important things that you
will do, I serve as your guide in
3. _______________________
performing your scientific investigation.
What am I?
I am a number or quantity that increases
or decreases over time or takes different
values in different situations. I am also
anything that you can change or control
in an experiment. What am I? 4.

________________________

I come at the very end of an

experiment. I am a summary of the
results of the experiment and the
statement of how the results match up
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to the hypothesis. What am I?
5._________________________

Name: __________________________ Date: ____________

Grade/Section: ___________________ Score: ___________

Title of the Activity: MATCH THE CORRECT TERM

Most Essential Learning Competency: Describe the components of a
scientific investigation.
K to 12 BEC CG: S7MT-Ia-1
Direction: Write the letter of the statement that matches the scientific terms
below. Write your answer on the space provided before the number.

_____1. Control a. Set of manipulations or specific observations

_____2. Conclusion b. An idea about the system being examined
_____3. Hypothesis c. The numerical values recorded during an
_____4. Experiment observation or experiment
_____5. Variable d. A decision based on the data from an
experiment
_____6. Data e. A well supported set of observations and
_____7. Theory explanations for natural events
f. Set of observations used as a reference and
compared to experimental observations, it is
a part of the experiment without the variable
being tested
g. A characteristic, number or quantity that
increases or decreases over time or different
values in different situations.

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Name: __________________________ Date: ________________
Grade/Section: ___________________ Score: _______________

Title of the Activity: DARK OR LIGHT COLOR?

Most Essential Learning Competency: Describe the components of a
scientific investigation
K to 12 BEC CG: S7MT-Ia-1
Direction: .Read and understand the paragraph below. Write your answer
on the space provided.

Maria learned from school that darker colors absorb more

light energy than lighter colors. Thus, dark colored objects become hotter
when exposed to sunlight. To prove this, Maria wants to determine if the
temperature of a colored soda drink will have a higher temperature than the
light colored soda drink when exposed under the sun at the same time. She
took one bottle of dark colored soda drink and another bottle of a colorless
soda drink and place these under the sun for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes,
she measured the temperature of the liquid inside the bottles using a
thermometer. She found out that the temperature of the dark colored soda
drink is higher than the colorless soda drink. So she concluded that darker
colors absorb more heat energy than light colored materials.
Guide Questions:
1. What did Maria observe in school?
______________________________________________________________
2. Why was the problem Maria wanted to investigate?
______________________________________________________________
3. What was her hypothesis?
______________________________________________________________
4. How did Maria analyze the data of her experiment?
______________________________________________________________

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 5. What was her conclusion?
______________________________________________________________

Arellano, Sheyrene V. 2018. Science for Millennials. Makati City. Salinlahi Publishing
House, Inc. pp.2-3

Madriaga, Estrelita A. 2015. Science Links Worktext for Scientific and Technological
Literacy. Quezon City. Rex Bookstore Inc. pp. 24-29

Pavico, Josefina F. 2015. Exploring life Through Science Series. Quezon City.
Phoenix Publishing House. pp. 24-32

http://www.actforlibraries.org/the-five-steps-of-the-scientific-method/

http://www.bio.miami.edu/ecosummer/lectures/lec_scimethod.pdf

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 Activity 2: Supply the Missing Word
1. Problem 4. Hypothesis

Activity 1: Proper Arrangement 2. Data 5. Conclusion

6, 2, 1, 8, 3, 4, 5, 7 3. Scientific Method

Activity 3: Scientific Method Crossword

Across Down
2 Variables 1 Dependent Variable
3 Observe 6 Infer
4 Scientific Method 7 Procedure

Activity 4: Laura’s Detergent

1. 5: She
Activity Whatobserved
Am I? that her pants were not as
Activity 6: clean
Matchas
thethey usedTerm
Correct to be.

1. 2. Hypothesis
How effective Clean-C detergent
1. in washing
F clothes?
6. C
2. 3. Experiment
Water with Clean- C detergent 2. D 7. E
3. 4. Procedure
Clean pants 3. B
4. 5. Variable
Clean-C detergent cannot be used
4. in cleaning
A pants.
Activity 7: Dark or Light Color
5. Conclusion 5. G
1. She observed that darker colors absorb more light energy than light colors.
2. Maria wants to determine if the temperature of a colored soda drink will
have a higher temperature than the light colored soda drink.
3. Dark colored objects become hotter when exposed to sunlight.
4. By measuring the temperature of the liquid inside the bottles using a
thermometer.
5. Darker colors absorbed

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