Scientific Inquiry

and The Scientific

Method
Objectives
■ During the lesson students should be
able to:
■ Identify and state an example of at least
one problem after watching a video on
scientific enquiry.
■ List three steps in the scientific method
and describe what each process is about
after watching a video on scientific
enquiry.
Objectives Cont’d
■ Formulate at least two hypotheses after
being given examples of how to write
hypotheses after a PowerPoint
presentation.
■ 4. Plan and design at least one
experiment (fair test) to solve a specific
problem.
■ https://edpuzzle.com/media/61439a51f879
cc4182ac40fc
What is Scientific Enquiry?
■ Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways
in which scientists study the natural world
and propose explanations based on the
evidence derived from their work.
■ Inquiry also refers to the activities of
students in which they develop knowledge
and understanding of scientific ideas, as
well as an understanding of how scientists
study the natural world.
The Scientific Method
■ The Scientific Method involves a series of
steps that are used to investigate a natural
occurrence.
6 Steps to the Scientific Method
■ 1. Indentify the Problem/ Make an
observation
■ 2. Form a hypothesis
■ 3. Test the hypothesis
■ 4. Collect, Organize and Analyze the
Data
■ 5. Draw Conclusions
■ 6. Communicate the results
Step 1:Identifyying
Problem/Question /Observations
■ • Use observations you have made to write
a question that addresses the problem you
want to investigate

■ Observations based on senses or tools

◻ Sight, Smell, Touch etc.
Step 1:Identifyying
Problem/Question /Observations
■ Observations of natural events usually
raise a question
◻ Why did the water rise when the candle went
out?
◻ Research is usually done to help find out more
about the question raised
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Observations
Qualitative- Descriptions that do not include
measurements (The weather outside is hot
and humid today).
Quantitative- Descriptions that do include
measurements (The temperature outside
is 105° F and the humidity is 29%). These
kinds of observations should include
recording the correct units of any
measuring tools used.
How to Write a Problem
Statement in Science
■ What is a problem statement? Your
problem question must be able to be
tested through experimentation.
■ The question should come out of your
observations as something that sparked
your interest or curiosity.. Exactly what do
you hope to figure out? What is the
“WHAT IF” question?
Criteria for Testable Questions:

■ ∙ Uses something from your “What I will

change” group
■ ∙ Uses something from your “What I will
measure” group
■ ∙ A broad question that is something to
investigate
Step 2: Form A Hypothesis
■ Based on your observation a Hypothesis is
formed that tries to explain your observation or
answer your question
◻ A hypothesis tries to predict or determine the
outcome of your experiment even before the
experiment is done
■ Predictions usually stated in an “if ….. Then” statement. Ex:
If I drop a rock then it will fall down toward the ground
■ HYPOTHESIS MUST BE TESTABLE!
Step 2: Form A Hypothesis

■Example: If soil temperatures rise, then

plant growth will increase.
Step 3: Test the Hypothesis/
Perform Experiment
■ Controlled Experiments are used to test a
hypothesis
◻ A controlled experiment is an experiment that
tests only one factor at a time by
◻ a control group is compared with an experimental
group. Variables are not changed in the Control
Group.
Step 3: Continued
◻ Control groups allows you to see if a change in a
variable creates an observed outcome by comparing
the control group with the experiment group

◻ A variable is a factor that changes in a controlled

experiment. Variables are changed in the
Experiment Group AND SERVE AS THE FACTOR
TESTED
VARIABLES
■ INDEPENDENT
◻ The variable being changed in the experiment
■ DEPENDENT
◻ The variable that responds to the changed
independent variable
◻ The variable being measured
■ EX: growing plants with different amounts
of fertilizer
Step 3 Continued
■ Scientists try to design experiments that will clearly
show whether a particular VARIABLE caused an
observed outcome
■ IF IT CANNOT BE OBSERVED THEN IT CANNOT
BE TESTED!!!
◻ Can we test if a comet impact kill the dinosaurs? Why or Why
Not?
■ Sometimes models are used to represent a real
object
◻ Used when it is difficult to control all of the variables or not
possible to test “the real thing”
Variables are not One Variable Changed in
Changed in C.G. Each Exp. Group
Step 4: Collect, Organize &
Analyze Data
■ Data collected from experiments
◻ Data is defined as: recorded observations or
measurements (qualitative = description, quantitative
= number data)
◻ Based on observations
◻ Utilize tools or senses: sight, smell, temperature
change etc.
■ Data is organized in tables, charts and graphs so
that it can be more easily analyzed
Step 5: Draw Conclusions
■ Scientists decide whether the results of
the experiment support a hypothesis.
■ When the hypothesis is not supported by
the tests the scientist must find another
explanation for what they have observed
◻ NO EXPERIMENT IS A FAILURE: All
experiments are observations of real events
Step 6: Communicate the
Results
■ Results must be communicated in the form
of a written paper or presentation
■ Communication helps other scientists
performing the same experiments to see if
the results of your experiment are the
same as their results
◻ Helps people see if results are repeatable!
Recap: STEPS IN THE
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
• Observe a natural phenomenon and define a
question about it

• Make a hypothesis, or potential solution to the

question

• Test the hypothesis

• If the hypothesis is true, find more evidence or

find counter-evidence
• If the hypothesis is false, create a new
hypothesis or try again

• Draw conclusions and repeat–the scientific

method is never-ending, and no result is ever
considered perfect

• Communicate the Results.

Activity
■ Plan and design an experiment to solve a
specific problem. The problem will be given
and students will be required to write a
hypothesis, write a procedure of how you
would carry out the experiment, write the
manipulating-independent and
responding-dependent variable and write a
conclusion based on your hypothesis
whether it will be true or false based on what
will happen in the experiment.
 Problem Statement
■ Beverly has been irrigating her sunflower
with coca cola. She notices that the plant
is fading and she wants to know if coca
cola is affecting the sunflower‘s growth.
Plan and design an experiment to
determine if the sunflowers plant grows
better when irrigated by water or when
irrigated by coca cola.
SAMPLE PLANNING AND
DESIGN LAB
■ Conditions Necessary for Rusting
■ Problem Statement:
■ Hypothesis: Both water and oxygen is necessary for
rusting to occur.
■ Aim: To determine if both water and oxygen are
necessary for rusting.
■ Apparatus: 4 boiling tubes 8 3” nails (untarnished)
Distilled water Oil Bunsen burner Tripod Gauze 250mL
beaker 10cm3 measuring cylinder 4 rubber bungs Cotton
wool Anhydrous calcium chloride (CaCl2)
■ Method: 1. Set up four tubes as shown below:

■ 2. Leave the tubes for a period of 24-48 hours.

■ 3. Record you observations.
■ 4. Repeat the experiment to verify your results.
Controlled Variables: Number and Size of nails
Boiling Tubes, Rubber Bung.
Manipulated Variables: Water, Oxygen
Responding Variable(s): Formation of Rust
■ Expected Results: The tube(s) that show
the greatest signs of rusting has the
conditions necessary for rusting to take
place.
■ Discussion: If tube B shows the greatest
signs of rusting, and tube C and D shows
little to no rusting, then both water and
oxygen is needed for rusting to take place.
■ A precaution that should be taken in this
experiment is to ensure that the nails are
rust free before use.
■ One possible source of error could have
occurred in tube D. During cooling, oxygen
may have re-dissolved in the water. This
means that the tube may not have
contained only water.
■ One limitation in this experiment is that air
contains a very small percentage of water
vapour.
■ Conclusion: If both water and oxygen are
needed for rusting to take place, then the
hypothesis is true.
Extended Learning task
■ Describe the contributions of Galileo and
Aristotle to scientific enquiry.