Ways of Acquiring Knowledge and Solving Problems

Learning Objectives:Learning Objectives: Identify the component of an

investigatory process.Describe what is meant by fair test.Recognize that the design of an

investigation should show fair testing.

Something to Ponder…“The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill.”

Albert Einstein

Biblical Integration…

“A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.”

Proverbs 14:13

What is a Fair Test?What is a Fair Test?An investigation where only one factor is changed

while all others are kept the same (controlled).

This way, the changes are due only to the thing we want to test.

e.g. if testing the effect of amount of light on growth of seedlings, keep everything else the same e.g. type of soil, amount of water, temperature, length of time grown etc.

VariablesThe things that can change in an experiment are called variables.

e.g. in the seedling experiment, variables were amount of light, amount of water, temp, soil type….

There are different types of variables in a fair test: Independent variable: the thing that

is changed on purpose Dependent variable: the thing that is

measured Controlled variables: all other

changeable factors that must be kept the same to ensure a fair test

Question Independent Variable

(What I change)

Dependent Variables

(What I observe)

Controlled Variables

(What I keep the same)

How much water flows through a tap at different openings?

Tap opening (closed, half open, fully open)

Amount of water flowing measured in litres per minute

- tap- water pressure, or how much the water is "pushing"

Does heating a cup of water allow it to dissolve more sugar?

Temperature of the water measured in degrees Centigrade

Amount of sugar that dissolves completely measured in grams

- stirring - type of sugar

Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger?

Amount of fertilizer measured in grams

Growth of the plant measured by its heightAND / OR Growth of the plant measured by the number of leaves

•Same size pot for each plant •Same type of plant in each pot •Same type and amount of soil in each pot •Same amount of water and light •Make measurements of growth for each plant at the same time

COMPONENTS OF AN INVESTIGATORY PROCESS

Research problemGathering Preliminary DataFormulating the HypothesisTesting the HypothesisAnalysing the DataDrawing ConclusionWriting the Research ReportDoing an Investigatory Project

Thinking about a practical problem motivates a research question which defines a research problem which finds a research answer which helps to solve the practical problem.

A question raised for inquiry, consideration or solution. Statement about an area of concern Condition to be improved Difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists Points to the need for meaningful understanding and

deliberate investigation. Does not specifically state how to do something Does not offer a vague or broad proposition Does not present a bias statement/question.

“The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution.” – Bertrand Russell British author, mathematician, & philosopher (1872 - 1970)

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based

The necessity to be prepared before heading to the field! Find out about what you want to investigate. Read books,

articles, journals, magazines or ask professionals to learn about the effect or area of study. Keep track of where you got your information from.

Data-collection methods are the identification of the broad problem area, preliminary information gathering, especially through unstructured and structured interviews and literature survey and problem definition.

Formulating a hypothesis or educated guess helps by defining an initial explanation to be tested in the research process.

Suggest a causal relationship involve at least one independent variable and at least one dependent variable; in other words, one variable which is presumed to affect the other.

Null hypothesis vs. Alternative hypothesis It is expressed verbally or in writing and states a

theory regarding an if-blank-then-blank situation. Understand the scope of study: while a hypothesis

is usually used for studying the sciences, it is not limited to those disciplines.

Design an experiment to test each hypothesis. Make a step-by-step list of what you will do to answer each question. This list is called an experimental procedure or specific aims.

Variables- things that can change in an experiment are called variables. Independent variable: the thing that is changed

on purpose (what you change for a purpose) Dependent variable: the thing that is measured

(what you observe for occurrences of changes) Controlled variables: all other changeable

factors that must be kept the same to ensure a fair test (what you keep the same)

Interpreting the meaning of the data we have collected, organized

Displayed in the form of a table, bar chart, line graph, or other representation.

Looking for patterns—similarities, disparities, trends, and other relationships—and thinking about what these patterns might mean.

The ability to make inferences and predictions based on data is a critical skill students need to develop.

Using the trends in your experimental data and your experimental observations, try to answer your original questions. Is your hypothesis correct? Now is the time to pull together what happened, and assess the experiments you did. Other things you can mention in the conclusion: If your hypothesis is not correct, what could be the answer to your question? Summarize any difficulties or problems you had doing the experiment. Do you need to change the procedure and repeat your experiment? What would you do different next time? List other things you learned

Aim is to write clearly and concisely about your research topic so that the reader can easily understand the purpose and results of your research.

General framework: Introduction

Background of the Study Statement of the Problem Significance of the Study Scope and Limitation of the Study

Review of Literature and Conceptual Framework Review of Literature Conceptual Framework Hypothesis Definition of Terms

Methodology Results and Findings Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

SAMPLE 1

SAMPLE 2

FORMAT

Content Apply/demonstrate scientific principles or attempt to provide

new knowledge Be a result of continuing or parallel scientific research and

investigation & not a copy of any previous research; Have socio-economic significance and relevance to

livelihood development; and Contribute to the advancement of S&T and the development

of the community. Physical Set-up/Visual Display

Attractive and informative. Interested spectators and judges should easily asses the

study and the results obtained. Use clear and concise displays. Make headings stand-out, draw graphs and diagrams clearly

and label them correctly. A one-page project abstract must be posted in one corner of

the booth. Be sure to adhere to the size limitations and safety rules when preparing the display.

TRY THIS!CHANGE ONLY ONE FACTOR AND KEEP OTHERS CHANGE ONLY ONE FACTOR AND KEEP OTHERS

THE SAMETHE SAMESYSTEMATIC WAY OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGESYSTEMATIC WAY OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE

QUESTION RAISED FOR INQUIRY AND STUDYQUESTION RAISED FOR INQUIRY AND STUDY

REFERRING TO WORKS DONE BY EXPERTSREFERRING TO WORKS DONE BY EXPERTS

EDUCATED GUESSEDUCATED GUESSA FACTOR CHANGED FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL A FACTOR CHANGED FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL

PURPOSEPURPOSE

TRY THIS!INTERPRETING THE MEANING OF DATA INTERPRETING THE MEANING OF DATA

COLLECTEDCOLLECTEDCOMPOSED OF DIFFERENT CHAPTERSCOMPOSED OF DIFFERENT CHAPTERS

FACTOR OBSERVED FOR OCCURENCES OF FACTOR OBSERVED FOR OCCURENCES OF CHANGE/SCHANGE/S

THE STANDARD FACTOR IN AN EXPERIMENTTHE STANDARD FACTOR IN AN EXPERIMENT

A PLANNED RESEARCH ACTIVITYA PLANNED RESEARCH ACTIVITYSTATEMENT THAT APPROVE OR DISPROVE THE STATEMENT THAT APPROVE OR DISPROVE THE

HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS

TRY THIS!ACTION DONE TO BE PREPARED FOR THE ACTION DONE TO BE PREPARED FOR THE

RESEARCH ACTIVITYRESEARCH ACTIVITYACTION DONE TO TEST THE HYPOTHESISACTION DONE TO TEST THE HYPOTHESIS

PART OF RESEARCH REPORT WHERE PART OF RESEARCH REPORT WHERE EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES ARE FOUNDEXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES ARE FOUNDTEST RESULTS CAN BE COMPARED WITHTEST RESULTS CAN BE COMPARED WITH

ORGANIZERS USED PRIOR TO DESCRIPTIVE ORGANIZERS USED PRIOR TO DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF DATAANALYSIS OF DATAPART OF RESEARCH REPORT WHERE THE PART OF RESEARCH REPORT WHERE THE

POSSIBLE COVERAGE AREA AND LIMITS ARE POSSIBLE COVERAGE AREA AND LIMITS ARE MADE MENTIONMADE MENTION