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Science
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Components of Scientific Investigation

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Science – Grade 7
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Components of Scientific Investigation
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the SLeM

Writer: Mrs. Madonna B. Tabuzo

Editors: Mrs. Anabel Mejia
Ms. Josephine L. Bonsol
Reviewers: Dr. Maria Pilar O. Capalongan
Mrs. Ma. Nimfa R. Gabertan
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Dr. Heidee F. Ferrer, Education Program Supervisor-LRMS
Dr. Maria Pilar O. Capalongan, Education Program Supervisor, Science

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Science
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Components of Scientific
Investigation

HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

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 Before you start answering the Supplementary Learning Material (SLeM),
set aside other tasks that will disturb you while enjoying the lessons. Read
carefully the instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have
fun!
1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every part of
this SLeM.
2. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons. Keep in mind that
Writing develops and enhances learning,
3. Perform all the provided activities in the SLeM.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THIS MODULE

Expectations This will provide what will you will be able to know
completing the lessons in the SLeM.

Pre-test This will assess your prior knowledge and the concepts to
be mastered throughout the lesson.

Looking Back This section will measure the skills that you learned and
to your Lesson understand from the previous lesson.

Brief This section will give you an overview of the lesson.

Introduction

Activities These are activities designed to develop your critical

thinking and other competencies that you need to
master. This can be done solely or with your partner
depending on the nature of the activity.

This section summarizes the concepts and applications of

Remember the lessons

Check your This will verify how you learned from the lesson.
Understanding

Post-test This will measure how much you have learned from the
entire SLeM

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 Expectations
In this module you are expected to describe the components of a Scientific
Investigation. (S7MTIa-1)
Specifically, this module will help you to:
1. Identify the components of an investigation research problem, hypothesis, method for
testing hypothesis and conclusions based on evidence;
2. Differentiate qualitative from quantitative observation;
3. Identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables;
4. Formulate hypothesis, collect, organize and interpret data about the investigation.

Pre-Test

DIRECTIONS: Read each question carefully. Choose and write the letter of the correct answer
on another sheet of paper.

1. Maria did several analyses of unknown material like texture, odor, and solubility as part of her
investigatory project. Which of the following steps of scientific investigation did Maria do?
A. testing a hypothesis C. formulating a hypothesis
B. identifying the problem D. making a generalization.

2. Which of the following statements is a quantitative observation?

A. The plant has roots
B. The plant has stems
C. The plant has flowers.
D. The plant uses two Liters of water every day.

3. Marvin wanted to find out the amount of table salt that can be dissolved in 200 mL of water at
different temperatures. Which is the dependent variable in his experiment?
A. the kind of water. C. the amount of table salt
B. the amount of water D. the temperature of the water

4. Which part of the scientific investigation determines if your prediction is accurate?

A. analyzing C. making hypothesis
B. experimenting D. identifying the problem

5. Which of the following statements is a qualitative observation?

A. Oil is heavier than water.
B. The water boils at 100 OC.
C. The glass contains five Liters of water
D. The water started to boil after 5 minutes.

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 Looking Back

In your previous lesson in Science, you have learned the basic Science Process
Skills such as Observing, Inferring, Classifying, Measuring, and Predicting. Can you still recall
these process skills? Let’s have a simple activity to recall the difference between Observing and
Inferring.
Read each statement below about the plant and determine if it is an observation or
inference. Write your answer on another sheet of paper.

_________________ 1. The plant has roots.

_________________ 2. The plant uses water.
_________________ 3. The plant has stems.
_________________ 4. The plant has flowers.
_________________ 5. The plant grew from a seed.

Brief Introduction

The scientific investigation is a systematic process of collecting and analyzing

information to gain scientific knowledge. It produces evidence that helps answer questions and
problems.

A. Steps of Scientific Investigation.

Investigation is important in any field of science. It is used by the scientists to do research
in order to find a solution or answer to a problem. Steps to follow in the scientific investigation
include asking question or problem, gathering data, forming a hypothesis, conduct an experiment,
gathering and analyzing evidence to support the hypothesis and making conclusion.

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Study the figure below on how to follow the steps of scientific investigation
This diagram shows the steps of a scientific investigation:

Figure 1:

B. Qualitative and Quantitative Observations

An observation is the process of using the senses or measurement to determine the
properties of an object or event. Observation can be qualitative or quantitative. Below is the
difference between the two types of observation.

Qualitative Observations Quantitative Observations

Use your senses (smell, taste, touch,
hearing, & sight) to observe the results. It is
a description of what an object looks like.
Examples are color, odor, taste and texture.
Sugar is sweet.
Usually involve numbers and use
measurement tools. It describes the
numerical value of an object like mass,
volume, density, temperature, freezing point
(0oC) & boiling point (100oC) of water
There is one kg of sugar.

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C. Independent, Dependent, and Controlled Variables
Independent A variable that is altered during an experiment; it can be manipulated,
Variable and its value does not depend or get affected by any variable in the
experiment; also known as manipulated variable.
Dependent A variable being tested or measured during an experiment; usually
Variable affected by change because of independent variable; also known as the
responding variable.
Controlled A variable that is kept the same during an experiment so that it cannot
Variable affect the result of the experiment.
Variables are changing qualities or characteristics of an object. The comparison is shown below.

Activities

Activity 1-A. Direction: Using numbers 1 to 5, rank the following steps of scientific
investigation chronologically. Write your answer on another paper.

Activity 1-B. Direction: Read the paragraphs below and complete the flow chart with the
statement or statements that correspond to the steps of scientific investigation. Refer to the given
illustration. Write your answer on another sheet of paper.
How does sunlight affect the growth of plant? In most plants, photosynthesis takes place
mainly in the leaves. For photosynthesis to work, the chloroplast needs a source of energy like
sunlight and ingredients such as carbon dioxide and water. When light energy, carbon dioxide
and water are present, a chemical reaction takes place.

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 Two different set-ups were prepared, Plant A and Plant B. Plant A was placed inside the
box, hence, there is no air and sunlight. Plant B was placed outside the house with the enough
sunlight. After a week, the effect of sunlight on the growth and development of the plants was
observed. Plant A, which is placed inside the box withered and died. While plant B with enough
sunlight grew healthy.
Therefore, it only proves that sunlight and a gas in the air has a great effect in the growth
of plant. Without sunlight and a gas from the air, plant can’t live nor grow to the fullest.

Activity 2. Direction: Identify the following statements if it is Qualitative or Quantitative

observation. Write your answer on another sheet of paper.

______________________________1. The hamburger is hot.

______________________________2. George is taller than Mike.
______________________________3. George is 2 cm taller than Mike.
______________________________4. The beaker contains 500 mL of water.
______________________________5. Apple is red while banana is yellow.

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Activity 3. Direction: Read the following research problems carefully and identify the
Dependent, Independent and Control Variables. Write your answer under the right column. Write
your answer on another sheet of paper.
VARIABLES
Problem
Dependent Independent Control

1. Sassy, a grade 7 student, conducted an

activity about how household detergent affects
plant growth. She placed the same kind of
plants in three separate pots ( Pots A, B, C)
with the same kind of soil. On pot A, she
applied 1 scoop of detergent in one gallon of
water in pot A, 2 scoops of detergent in one
gallon of water in pot B, and only water in pot
C.

2. Harry bought two identical aquariums,

labelled as A and B, each containing the same
kind, number and size of fish. The amount of
water, light and air were the same for both.
He fed the fish in aquarium A with commercial
fish pellets while home-made fish pellets in
aquarium B. The next day, all the fish in
aquarium B died while in aquarium A remain
alive.

3. Maria wanted to find out which of the two

brands of bleach, A or B, is more effective in
removing coffee stain from white shirt. She
made mixtures of the two bleaches with the
same amount of water and soaked white shirts
with the same size of stain into each mixture
for two minutes. After soaking, she measured
the size of the stain left on each shirt.

4. Casey wanted to investigate how sunlight

affects the growth of plants. She had two
mongo bean plants, A and B. She put plant A
beside the window where there is adequate
sunlight and put plant B under the table where
it sunlight cannot reach. She gave the same
amount of water and fertilizer on both plants.
After one week, she measured the length of the
stem of each plant.

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 Remember
1. Steps to follow in the scientific investigation include asking questions or problems,
gathering data, forming a hypothesis, conducting an experiment, gathering and analyzing
evidences to support the hypothesis and making conclusions.
2. Qualitative observation- use your senses (smell, taste, touch, hearing, & sight) to observe
the results. It is a description of what an object looks like. Examples are color, odor,
taste and texture.
3. Quantitative observation- usually involves numbers and use measurement tools. It
describes the numerical value of an object like mass, volume, density, temperature,
freezing point (0oC) & boiling point (100oC) of water
4. Independent Variable -a variable that is altered during an experiment; it can be
manipulated, and its value does not depend or get affected by any variable in the
experiment.
5. Dependent Variable- a variable being tested or measured during an experiment; usually
affected by change because of independent variable; also known as the responding variable.
6. Controlled Variable- a variable that is kept the same during an experiment so that it cannot
affect the result of the experiment.

Checking Your Understanding

A. Exit Slip. Direction: Answer the following questions on another sheet of
paper.

2. Write down the steps of the scientific investigation in correct order.

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B. Frayer Model Map. Direction: Explain your understanding of the word/s by writing some
details in each quadrant of the map. Be guided also by the clues in the sentence below each
graph. Write your answer on another sheet of paper.
1.

2.

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 Post-Test
Directions: Read each test item carefully. Choose and write the letter of the correct
answer on another sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is a quantitative observation?
A. Lead is denser than aluminum
B. Uranium is a radioactive element.
C. Water boils below 100 0C on top of a mountain.
D. Fertilizers help to increase agricultural production
2. Which of the following is the first step of scientific investigation?
A. forming a hypothesis. C. performing an experiment
B. asking question D. predicting the result of an experiment
3. A student who wants to study the effects of coffee grounds on plants sets up an experiment.
Plant A gets no coffee grounds, plant B gets 5 mg of coffee grounds each day, and plant C gets
10 mg of coffee grounds each day. Which plant is the control group?
A. Plant A B. Plant B C. Plant C D. Plant D
4. A scientist did several analyses that includes acidity, malleability, and density. Identify which
of the following steps the scientist must have conducted/used?
A. Testing a hypothesis C. Identifying the problem
B. Making a generalization. D. Formulating a hypothesis
5. Which of the following statements is a qualitative observation?
A. The candy is sweet. C. My laptop is 14 inches.
B. She is 154 cm tall D. My sister weighs 54 kilos.

Answer Key

Pre-Test
1. A
2. D
3. C
4. B
5. A

Looking Back
1. Observation
2. Inference
3. Observation
4. Observation
5. Inference

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Activity 2.
Activity 3.
Problem: How does sunlight affect the growth of plant? 1. Qualitative
2. Qualitative
Background Information: In most plants, photosynthesis 3. Quantitative
takes place mainly in the leaves. For photosynthesis to work, 4. Quantitative
the chloroplasts need to collect three ingredients: sunlight, 5. Qualitative
air, and water. When all three ingredients are present inside
the chloroplasts, a chemical reaction takes place.
Hypothesis:
1. Plants cannot grow healthy with the absence of sunlight.
2. Plants may wither and die without enough sunlight.
Experiment: Two different set-ups were prepared, Plant A
and Plant B. Plant A was placed inside a box, with the absence
of sunlight. Plant B was placed outside the house with the
enough sunlight.
Data/Result: After a week, the effect of sunlight on the
growth and development of the plants were observed. Plant
A, which is placed inside the box withered and died. While
plant B with enough sunlight grew healthy.
Conclusion: Therefore, it only proves that sunlight has a great
effect in the reaction taking place inside the chloroplast. And
without sunlight plants can’t live nor grow to the fullest.

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 Checking Your Understanding
A. Write down the steps of the scientific investigation in correct order.
1. Varies
2. asking question or problem, gathering data, forming a hypothesis, conducting an experiment,
gathering and analyzing evidence to support the hypothesis and making conclusion.

B. Frayer Model Map

1. Quantitative Observation:
Meaning: observation associated with values.
Characteristics: Can be measured, Produces accurate observation
Examples: One dozen of sweet apple. The box contains 500 pieces of candies
2. Dependent variable
Meaning: a variable being tested or measured during an experiment; also known as the
responding variable.
Characteristic: usually affected by change because of independent variable
Examples: Solubility of sugar in hot and cold water

References 5. A
E. Baraceros (2016). Practical Research 2. Rex Book Store.
Philippines 4. A
3. A
C. Padolina (2006). Conceptual and Functional Chemistry
Modular Approach. 2. B VIBAL Publishing House. Philippines
S. Rosen (1978). 1. C Chemistry Workshop. Globe Book
Company. New York
Post-Test

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