Steps of the Scientific Method PDF

# Steps of the Scientific Method In conducting a simple experiment, it's important to follow the different steps of the scientific method to get the correct results. Here are the steps of the scientific method: 1. **Asking questions about the problem** - The scientific method starts when you ask a...

# Steps of the Scientific Method In conducting a simple experiment, it's important to follow the different steps of the scientific method to get the correct results. Here are the steps of the scientific method: 1. **Asking questions about the problem** - The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: how, what, when, who, which, why, or where. Making correct or appropriate questions about problems that you are interested in is an important step to guide you on what to focus on to help you solve the problem. 2. **Gathering data about the problem** - Rather than starting from scratch in putting together a plan for answering your question, you want to be a savvy scientist using library or internet research to help you find the best way to do things and ensure that you don't repeat mistakes from the past. Consulting experts related to your problem is another way to ensure that your investigation is on the right track. 3. **Making a hypothesis** - Recall that a hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. It is an attempt to answer your question with an explanation that can be tested. A good hypothesis allows you to then make a prediction. For example, you may use this sentence pattern to make your hypothesis: “If ______ [I do this] then [this] will happen." Framing a tentative answer to your problem will give you ideas on how you will proceed to test your hypothesis. 4. **Testing the hypothesis through an experiment** - Conducting an experiment will test or prove whether your hypothesis is accurate or not. The data you gather from your experiment will be your valid evidence to support your hypothesis. If it proves otherwise, then new discovery or another novel study or investigation is worthy to be conducted. What is important is that you conduct your experiment fairly. That is, by making sure that you change only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same. 5. **Analyzing data of the experiment** - Involves reviewing the gathered data from your observations when you conducted the experiment on your problem at hand. To ensure fairness and no biases will be committed, you need to look at the results of your experiment with a critical eye and be very objective in reporting it. Changing observed data to suit your hypothesis is a mortal sin when you are conducting scientific investigation. 6. **Making a conclusion** - After analyzing your data and giving meaning to it, you are now ready to summarize and evaluate the results of your experiment. During this step, you are giving the whole picture about your findings and their importance – you are answering the "so what" part of your findings. Conclusions are indicators of whether your experiments conform to already known discoveries or offer new ideas that could shed light to other confusing scientific phenomena. 7. **Communicating results** - This is the part that gives true value to the investigation or study or experiment you have conducted. Your study can be very useful when results of your experiment are shared or known by others. Results of any scientific investigation or experiment when communicated are a proactive way to contribute in the body of knowledge. This action may have a profound effect in improving human lives, especially when experimental results are utilized. Examples of communicating findings or results of research can be done through scientific congress, publishing it in a journal, or through advocacy campaigns or a talk during scientific camps. ## Research Data Research data are pieces of information that has been collected, observed, generated or created to characterize or explain results of the experiment. The ideas you read in the books, information from the television, concepts you learned from your teachers, facts known from experts and observations in your research study or experimentation are examples of data. ## Types of Data ### Qualitative and Quantitative Data In this learning activity, you are going to learn the difference between the two types of data: qualitative and quantitative data. To better understand about these types of data, try observing your cat (or dog or other pets you have at home) and answer the following questions: What is the color of its fur and eyes? Its size? Age? What about the number of legs? Ears? Length of its tail? And the mass of your cat? Your answers to all the questions are examples of data you can get from observing the cat. Of course, there are other facts you can get from your observations. - **Qualitative Data** - Qualitative data describe the characteristics or quality of an object. It is not numeric and is usually gathered by observation using the senses such as sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing. When you describe the cat being white in color, small with soft fur and black eyes, you are gathering qualitative data (`Column A in Table 1`). - **Quantitative Data** - Quantitative data are those that give details with numbers. It is only complete when characteristics are described by numbers with a unit of measure. Data can be in numeric form with units of measure because they can be counted, calculated, or computed. Usually, in gathering these kinds of data, you need measuring tools and equipment and not just by your senses. Thus, when you measured the length of the cat's legs or tail or its mass and counted the number of its ears and legs, you are gathering quantitative data (`Column B in Table 1`). ## Data Collection You have already learned the difference between qualitative data and quantitative data in our previous activity. How do they differ from each other? How are they gathered? What is data collection or gathering? Data collection is described as the process of gathering and measuring information to answer queries or problems. If you wonder why you feel hot whenever you don't take a bath, you usually ask your mother and other family members the reason why you feel that way. The information you get from them by getting their answers on your question is an example of data collection or gathering. In this lesson, you are going to explain how data are gathered qualitatively and quantitatively. ## Qualitative and Quantitative Data: How to tell the difference? Remember that there are two types of data that you can gather. How do you know that the data that you gathered is quantitative or qualitative data? - **Quantitative Data** - Quantitative data is a type of data that is numeric in form and can be calculated or computed. It is usually gathered by using measuring equipment or tools like a meter stick or ruler, weighing scales, thermometers, and other measuring devices. When you count the number of fruits in a tree or measure how long its branches are, you are gathering quantitative data. - **Qualitative Data** - Qualitative data, on the other hand, is a type of data that describes the characteristics or qualities of an object. Unlike quantitative data, it is not numerical. It is usually gathered by observing a sample using the five senses as mentioned in the previous lesson. When you describe the color of your classmate's bag, the taste of the candy in the canteen, or the sound of vehicles in the street, you are gathering qualitative data. ## The Process of Data Collection Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest. It is an established and systematic way that enables you to answer research questions. Depending on the discipline or field, the nature of the information being sought, and the objective or goal of researchers, the methods of data collection may also vary. It can be customized to suit the purpose and prevailing circumstances, without compromising the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the data. There are two main types of data that you work with – the qualitative and quantitative. Varied observation methods can be used interdependently with a variety of research tools in order to facilitate data collection and analysis. However, it is easy for these methods of observation to be mixed up hence, so there is a need for you to understand the key differences between qualitative and quantitative observations. In the previous learning activity, it was discussed that **quantitative data deal with quantities, values, or numbers, making them measurable**. Thus, they are usually expressed in numerical form, such as length, size, amount, price, and even duration. **Qualitative data, on the other hand, deal with quality, so that they are descriptive rather than numerical in nature**. Unlike quantitative data, they are generally not measurable, and are only gained mostly through observation. Workers have their own toolboxes containing different tools they need to accomplish their work. As carpenters have their hammer and nails, scientists have their microscopes, beakers, graduated cylinders, and many more. Scientists use these tools to measure and gather data in their experimentation and in finding solutions to their day-to-day problems. There are different tools used in conducting experiments and in gathering, analyzing and interpreting experimental data. While these tools are basically found in the laboratory, there are also found in your homes which you use in some of your daily activities. The table below lists common laboratory tools and their uses. | Name | Uses | Picture | |---|---|---| | Beaker | Used to hold, heat and measure large amounts of liquid | _[Picture of Beaker]_ | | Erlenmeyer flask | Used to heat and store liquids; Has a wider bottom than the top, so it will heat up quicker because of the greater surface area exposed to the heat | _[Picture of Erlenmeyer Flask]_ | | Evaporating dish | Used to heat and evaporate liquids | _[Picture of Evaporating Dish]_ | | Funnel | Used to transfer liquids into another container so they will not spill | _[Picture of Funnel]_ | | Mortar and Pestle | Used to crush solids into powders for experiments | _[Picture of Mortar and Pestle]_ | | Thermometer | Used to take the temperature of solids, liquids, and gases. | _[Picture of Thermometer]_ | | Graduated cylinder | Used to measure accurate volumes of liquids. | _[Picture of Graduated Cylinder]_ | | Stirring rod | Used to stir liquids, especially when mixing two solutions | _[Picture of Stirring Rod]_ | ## Activity 1: What Tools Should I Use? **Directions:** Read the selection below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answer on a separate sheet of paper. Cardo was a Grade 7 student who was always curious how things work in his surroundings. One morning, while making a glass of milk for his breakfast, he accidentally used tap water in dissolving the powdered milk instead of the usual hot water that he used. He noticed that it took him several minutes to dissolve the mixture completely compared to the hot water which dissolved the mixture instantly. Curious as he was, he wanted to investigate the reason why it took tap water longer to dissolve the powdered milk than the hot water. Can you help find the answer to his problem?