INTEGRATED

SCIENCE PROCESS
Formulating Scientific Questions
 IN THE PREVIOUS MODULE, YOU LEARNED THAT DIFFERENT
EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES ARE BEING MONITORED,
MANIPULATED, AND CONTROLLED IN A SCIENTIFIC
INVESTIGATION. YOU ALSO IDENTIFIED THE VARIABLES THAT
ARE INCLUDED IN THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION YOU ARE
AIMING TO DESIGN. IN THIS MODULE, YOU WILL BE
DEVELOPING ANOTHER INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROCESS AND
THAT IS – FORMULATING A SCIENTIFIC QUESTION OR
RESEARCH PROBLEM.
The Characteristics of a Research Problem

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound
The Characteristics of a Research Problem

Specific
The problem should be specifically stated.
is a clear concise description of the issue(s) that need(s) to be
addressed by a problem-solving team
Example:
“What effect does the daily use of Facebook have on the attention span of under-
16s?”
“How can direct exposure to the sun during total solar eclipse can damage the
eye?”
The Characteristics of a Research Problem

Measurable
It is easy to measure using research instruments, apparatus, or equipment.
Goals need to be measurable in such a way that tangible evidence can be
presented along the way.
Example:
“What effect does daily use of Twitter have on the attention span of under-16s?”
“Administrators who provide wellness programs for their employees receive
higher employee ratings on selected leadership qualities than administrators who
do not provide wellness programs.”
The Characteristics of a Research Problem

Attainable
The data of your experimentation are achievable using different research tools to
help you arrive at accurate results.
Real results are attained because they are gathered scientifically and not
manipulated.
Example:
 “I will meet with a math tutor every week to help me focus on my weak spots.”
 “I will see a nutritionist to design a healthy eating plan”
“As an organization, we aim to clean the city and make it free from any plastic
waste in the next two years with the help and support of our volunteers.”
The Characteristics of a Research Problem

Relevant
Focusing on something that makes sense with the broader goals.
Your project objective should be able to answer the questions like “why should
this project be done?” “what impact will this project have?”.
Example:
 “Finding an effective strategy in preparing yourself for online class.”
The Characteristics of a Research Problem

Time-bound
Time frame is required in every activity because the shorter completion of the
activity, the better.
Remember your objectives must be reached in a set time-frame. Example:
 “As an organization, we aim to clean the city and make it free from any plastic
waste in the next two years with the help and support of our volunteers”
“The final program outline will be done by August 1st and the program will be
implemented by October 1, 2020”
The Characteristics of a Research Problem

Aside from having SMART characteristics, the scientific questions

must be TESTABLE
These questions should be based on your early observation of an object
or event that interests you.
Example:
How does the type of fertilizer affect the growth of a plant?
Does changing the height of the ramp affects the speed of a car going down the ramp?
How does the temperature of water affect the time it takes for a sugar cube to dissolve?
To help you start formulating your scientific
questions, consider the following guide below:
What are your
What do you really aims/objectives in
pursuing the
want to know results of your
about the topic? study?

Research
Problem

What are the

What are the
variables that you
scope/limitations
have considered in
of your study?
your study?
Identify whether the following questions are
TESTABLE or NOT TESTABLE.
1. Why is the sky blue-colored?
2. Why is sun considered a star?
3. Where does the sun come from?
4. Does mass of an object affect its speed?
5. Why is the International Space Station in orbit?
 Identify whether the following questions are
TESTABLE or NOT TESTABLE.
6. In what temperature will granulated coffee dissolve fast?
7. Does changing a toy material affects its ability to float in water?
8. How does the amount of sunlight affect the growth of gumamela?
9. How does changing the amount of water affect the growth of
tomatoes?
10. Which dishwashing liquid can be used to cut the grease in plastics?