SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION: Introduction to Scientific Investigation SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION: Introduction to Scientific Investigation
“Investigation is the heart of science” “Investigation is the heart of science”
Vocabulary Vocabulary
Steps in Scientific Method Steps in Scientific Method
1. Identifying Problems - problem comes when a researcher is curious or 1. Identifying Problems - problem comes when a researcher is curious or
interested about something he/she has observed in the environment. interested about something he/she has observed in the environment.
2. Making Observations - the scientist will research and make observations 2. Making Observations - the scientist will research and make observations
regarding the problem. regarding the problem.
3. Forming a Hypothesis - give temporary solutions to the identified 3. Forming a Hypothesis - give temporary solutions to the identified
problem. problem.
4. Testing the Hyothesis/ Experiment - Some hypothesis may be tested 4. Testing the Hyothesis/ Experiment - Some hypothesis may be tested
simply by further observations or take an elaborate and tedious process simply by further observations or take an elaborate and tedious process
as in the experiment. as in the experiment.
5. Organize and analyze data - Research experiments usually analyzed data 5. Organize and analyze data - Research experiments usually analyzed data
with statistical software in order to determine the relationships among with statistical software in order to determine the relationships among
the data gathered. In the case of a simpler experiment, one would look at the data gathered. In the case of a simpler experiment, one would look at
the data and see how they show a relationship. the data and see how they show a relationship.
6. Draw conclusions - the data support the hypothesis, then the hypothesis 6. Draw conclusions - the data support the hypothesis, then the hypothesis
is correct and may be the explanation for the phenomena. If the data do is correct and may be the explanation for the phenomena. If the data do
not support the hypothesis, then more observations must be made, a not support the hypothesis, then more observations must be made, a
new hypothesis is formed, and the scientific investigation is used all over new hypothesis is formed, and the scientific investigation is used all over
again. again.
7. Communicate Resuts - research can be presented to others to inform 7. Communicate Resuts - research can be presented to others to inform
them of the findings and receive input about the validity of the conclusion them of the findings and receive input about the validity of the conclusion
drawn from the research. drawn from the research.
