SCIENCE INQUIRY
Chapter 1
LEARNING OUTCOMES
■ Identify, research and construct questions for
investigation; propose hypotheses; and predict possible
outcomes
■ Describe the function of different parts of microscope and
demonstrate microscopy skills
INTRODUCTION
■Science is a process of inquiry aimed at
finding answers to problems and discovering
new knowledge about the natural world.
■Science means two things:
– a process of discovery
– the knowledge that is discovered.
What is a hypothesis?
Hypothesis is an educated guess about the answer to
the question based on limited evidence/ prior
knowledge.
Example:
"If I open the faucet [faucet opening size is the
independent variable], then it will increase the flow of
water [flow of water is the dependent variable].
VARIABLES
Independent variable
■Also known as manipulated variable.
■The independent variable is the factor that is
being investigated – it is deliberately
changed to determine its effect.
■This variable is deliberately made different in
the control and the experimental groups in
an experiment.
Dependent variable
■Also known as responding variable.
■The dependent variable is the factor that
changes in response to the changes
made to the independent variable.
Controlled variable
■Also known as constant variable.
■Controlled variables are the factors that
are kept the same for both the
control and the experimental groups
in an experiment.
Control group vs controlled
variables
Try this
In the following passage, identify what the independent, dependent and controlled
variables are.
You are provided with two foil-wrapped containers, labelled S1 and S2.
Three days ago, each container was set up with five mung bean seeds
which had been soaked for 12 hours.
S1 has been kept in a refrigerator at 4°C.
S2 has been kept in a warm place at 30°C.
The foil from each container was removed and contents examined.
Measure in mm the overall length of each specimen and record these
values in your table and calculate the average rate of growth of each
sample.
Dependent Independent Controlled
Final length of each Temperature 5 mung beans
Click here
specimen
Duration of soaking
Try this
With reference to the following passage and figure, identify the independent, dependent
and controlled variables
You are to investigate the energy content of food substances.
Independent variable:
The figure on the right shows the apparatus you will use. • Different food substances
The following steps were used in this experiment: Dependent variable:
1. Measure 20 cm3 of water and pour into the test tube. • Temperature change/ increase
2. Clamp the test tube in the stand as shown in the figure. Controlled variables:
• Volume of water added (20cm3)
3. Measure and record the temperature of the water.
• Mass of food used (0.5g)
4. Carefully stick the mounted needle into the food S1.
5. Hold the food in a flame until it starts to burn.
6. Move the food so that it is burning under the test tube (see
• Fig).
Usage of same apparatus
7. Keep the food under the test tube until the flame goes out.
8. Try to relight the food and move it under the test tube again.
9. Repeat until it will no longer relight.
10. Carefully put the mounted needle down on the heatproof mat.
11. Immediately, measure and record the temperature of the water.
Controlled experiments
■Sometimes called fair tests, are designed to
investigate relationships between factors (or
variables).
■They involve changing one variable while all the other
variables are kept the same.
■Any differences in the results should be due to the
changed variable.
■Do not confuse this with “controlled variable”
Some controlled experiments are said to be double-blind
experiments:
– Neither the subjects nor the testers know who is in the
control group and who is in the experimental group
– It is conducted by an independent administrator
– Subjects are randomly allocated to each group
– Due to the anonymity of a subject’s treatment, the placebo
effect is exposed
■ Placebo: Substance without active ingredient. Act as control to
compare with the experimental variable
■Advantages of double-blind study:
– avoids psychological effects of the subjects on
their own outcome
– avoids bias in the interpretation of the data by
the scientist
Accuracy and Reliability
■ Accuracy
– The extent to which a measurement result represents the
quantity it purports to measure;
■ Reliability
– The degree to which an assessment instrument or protocol
consistently and repeatedly measures an attribute, achieving
similar results for the same population.
Accuracy and reliability
Accurate and reliable Accurate but unreliable
Click on the following
statements to see a
Inaccurate but reliable demonstration of each Inaccurate and unreliable
Summary
Accurate and reliable Inaccurate but reliable
Accurate but unreliable Inaccurate and unreliable
REPETITION AND REPLICATION
■ Repetition - doing the same experiment many times.
■ Replication - having a number of identical experiments
running together or performing the experiment on a
large number of subjects at the same time.
■ Repetition and replication are used to make sure that
results are reliable.
VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY
■ An experiment is valid when it tests what it is
supposed to test. Experiments can also be invalid if
there are uncontrolled variables.
■ Reliability is the extent to which an experiment
gives the same result each time it is performed.
Presentation
of Data
Graphs
Guidelines
• Title - state the two variables shown on
the graph
• x-axis (horizontal) = The independent
variable
• y-axis (vertical) = The dependent
variable
⚬ Each axis must be labelled and the units
must be written
Graphs
Take note
• Graphs must be plotted using pen
• For line graphs, data plots must be connected using
ruler (no line of best fit)
• Graphs drawn must exceed 2/3 of the grid provided for
both axes
LET’S TRY!
Based on the table below, construct an appropriate graph.
A grid is provided to you on the next slide.
End of Chapter 1