SAN ANTONIO INFOTECH SCHOOL INC.

143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon

(043) 703-2273
Quarter 1
Week 1 & 2
Lesson 1. Doing Scientific Investigations
Learning Objectives:
The students will be able to:
 Identify the components or steps of an investigation;
 Conduct simple investigations involving processes that use materials available in the local
community; and
 Select an interesting research problem for study.

 Science utilizes the scientific method, a systematic way of acquiring knowledge and solving
problems. The scientific method is also known as the investigatory process.

1. The “thing” that you want to know.

The question you want to answer.
2. Information about the problem. What
is already known?
3. Educated guess, or prediction
experiment. This guess can of the
outcome of the be tested by
performing an experiment.

4. Tests the hypothesis.

5. Data you collect during the experiment.
6. Determine if the hypothesis is correct or not.
7. Present your results in a talk or a paper.
Example:
1. Do mice grow larger if given Vitamin C?
2. Learn about mice, their diet and Vitamin C.
3. If mice are given vitamin C then they will grow larger.
4. Two groups of ice – one gets vitamin C, one does not.

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 SAN ANTONIO INFOTECH SCHOOL INC.
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273
Quarter 1
5. Weigh mice after 2 weeks – both groups are the same.
6. Hypothesis is not correct (rejected).
7. Present your results.

Components of Investigatory Process

 The Research Problem - Gathering questions that would be the focal point of her research
problem. The medium that will be used is called experimental units.
Example: What could have caused the potato and banana to turn brown? Could the change in color have
been due to the way I sliced them? Was the discoloration due to the exposure of the potato and banana to
air? Or could it have been due to a change in temperature? Why did the banana, which is a fruit, show the
same discoloration as the potato, which is a root crop? Do all fruits and root crops show discoloration when
exposed to air or when their temperature changes?
Two Kinds of Variables:
o The dependent variable - The factor that is being tested in the experiment. As its name
states, the dependent variable relies ore depends on the changes made on the
independent variable. (See example on Table 1)
o Independent variable - The factor that is applied to the experimental unit and can be
changed by the experimenter. (See example on Table 1)

 The Hypothesis - An educated guess that is made based on what the person conducting the study
or project already knows about a problem.
Example: A change in color would be observed in the potato slices if they were exposed to a change in the
temperature of their surroundings. An increase in the temperature of the surroundings would create further
discoloration in the potato slices; they would not only turn brown but would become dark brown in color.

 Experimental Design - the component that presents the details of the experiment.

Example:
1. Peeled several potatoes, cut them into at least 30 slices of the same length, then washed the
potato slices.

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 SAN ANTONIO INFOTECH SCHOOL INC.
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273
Quarter 1
2. Three identical bowls and put ten potato slices into each bowl. Place one bowl in the vegetable
compartment of the refrigerator in the laboratory, another bowl on a window sill exposed to
sunlight, and the third bowl on the laboratory table and at a room temperature.
3. On the fourth bowl, put the unpeeled potato on it, then placed it also on top of the laboratory
table.

After an hour, check the potato slices in the different bowls and the effects
of the varied temperature on them.

 Data Organization - The several observations on the medium which can be classified as qualitative
and quantitative.

Example: The data was organized in table form.

Temperature Observation on Color of Potato Slices
(Independent Variable) (Dependent Variable)
4°C No change in color on the surfaces of the potato
slices
Room Temperature Brown discoloration on the surfaces of the potato
slices
37°C Reddish – brown discoloration on the surfaces of
the potato slices
Table 1.
o Qualitative data - Refers to pieces of information that are not in numerical form and
therefore include observations on color, odor, sound, taste, texture and the like
o Quantitative data - refers to information that is numerical and include observations on
measurement, sizes, dimensions, and the like.

 Data Interpretation - Data are interpreted by analyzing and synthesizing the relationship between
and among the variables in the experiment.
Example: The change in color of the potato slices to a chemical change is called oxidation. This process is
brought about by the reaction of polyphenol oxidase, an enzyme present in potatoes, with iron-containing
phenols, another chemical present in potatoes, and the oxygen present in air. The reaction of the iron-

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 SAN ANTONIO INFOTECH SCHOOL INC.
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273
Quarter 1
containing phenols with oxygen made the surfaces of the peeled potatoes turn brown and resemble the
color of a rusty iron nail.

 Conclusion - a statement that answers questions related to the research problem; it also shows or
presents the solution to the problem.
Example: Therefore we conclude that changes in the temperature of the surroundings brought about a
change in the color of the surfaces of the potato slices and that increasing temperature hastened the
oxidation of the surfaces of the potatoes.

 Recommendation - part of the investigatory process deals with what the study may lead to or with
its other applications.
Example: The recommendation was made to test the effect of the same temperature variations on certain
root crops and fruits, one at a time, until they can come up with an overall conclusive statement that will
answer the question posed in the research problem.

 Summary/ Abstract - It includes a short description of the study and a brief explanation of why it
was conducted. It also contains the hypothesis, importance of the study, general description of the
procedure followed, findings, conclusion, and recommendation.
Example:
The project investigated the effect of varying temperatures (4°C, room temperature, and 37°C) on
the discoloration of the surfaces of peeled potatoes. It was noted that no browning effect was observed on
the on the potato slices exposed to temperature at 4°C. But the potato slices exposed to room temperature
and to temperature at 37°C were observed to have some discolorations. The change in color was brought
about by the oxidation of iron-containing phenols as catalysed by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase. The
catalytic activity of the enzyme was prevented at a very low temperature. It can be concluded then that the
actions of the enzyme can be controlled or regulated at a given temperature.
The effects of varying temperature may also be observed on other fruits such as pears and apples.
Likewise the study has implication on proper storage of fruits rich in polyphenol oxidase.
Peeled potatoes that have turned from cream to brown do not only look unpalatable; they also
taste differently. Since processed potatoes are vital ingredients in many food products, it is important that
further research be made on ways to prevent or delay their discoloration during food preparation.

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 SAN ANTONIO INFOTECH SCHOOL INC.
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273
Quarter 1
Week 1 & 2
Lesson 1. Doing Scientific Investigations

Name:
Activity 1
Directions: Think of a topic that is suitable for you to make a research problem. Type your topic on the
designated location. List down at least five (5) research problems for your topic and type it on the space
provided.

Topic:

Research Problems:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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 SAN ANTONIO INFOTECH SCHOOL INC.
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273
Quarter 1
Week 1 & 2
Lesson 1. Doing Scientific Investigations

Name:
Activity 2
Directions: Read and analyze the following statement. Identify whether the described item is Qualitative or
Quantitative. Type your answer on the space provided before each number.
1. No change in color on the surfaces of the potato slices
2. Four degree Celsius
3. Yellowish color on the skin of mango
4. Room temperature
5. Brown discoloration on the surfaces of the potato slices
6. No change in color on the skin of mango
7. Brown discoloration on the skin of mango
8. 47 degree Celsius
9. Reddish – brown discoloration on the surfaces of the potato slices
10. 30 degree Celsius