Scientific Method Primary 5 Quiz

Scientific Method Steps

• Steps of the scientific method: question, research, hypothesis, experiment, analysis, conclusion.
• Organizing these steps is essential for systematic inquiry.

Lesson Objectives

• Identify scientific method steps effectively.
• Construct proper scientific questions.
• Conduct experiments and analyze results.
• Reference information using Harvard style.

Scientific Question

• Defines a problem and the goal of an experiment.
• Must be objective, testable, and based on facts.
• Should focus on one variable at a time.
• Examples include:
  • Impact of artificial sweeteners on students.
  • Growth of plants in different soil types.

Constructing Scientific Questions

• Well-constructed: clear, focused, and empirical.
• Poorly constructed: vague or subjective, such as "Why do plants grow?".
• Effective examples include investigations of liquid effects on plant growth and temperature/humidity impacts on evaporation rates.

Conducting Research

• Should summarize scientific concepts in 1-2 paragraphs.
• Paraphrase information in your own words.
• Use credible sources and avoid unreliable references (e.g., Wikipedia).
• Proper citation includes author, publication year, article title, website address, and access date.

Hypothesis

• A clear prediction based on existing knowledge that answers the scientific question.
• Must include relationships between independent and dependent variables.
• Example:
  • Question: Does adding batteries affect bulb brightness?
    • Hypothesis: More batteries will increase bulb brightness.

Variables

• Independent Variable (IV): what is changed (e.g., amount of batteries).
• Dependent Variable (DV): what is measured (e.g., brightness of the bulb).
• Control Variables: factors kept constant throughout the experiment (e.g., bulb type, environment).

Experiment Design

• Specify all variables in bullet points.
• List materials required for the experiment, ensuring they are safe and accessible.
• Write a clear, replicable procedure with sequential steps.
• Document observations and results accurately during the experiment.

Important Notes on Fair Testing

• Ensure experiments are fair and repeatable.
• Consider the necessary controls to maintain experimental integrity.
• Use visuals when possible to enhance understanding.