Starter quiz
- What is the first step in a scientific investigation?
- Conducting an experiment.
- Making a hypothesis.
- Asking a question. ✓
- Recording data.
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- Match the scientific process to its description:
- Asking questions⇔Involves curiosity and enquiry ✓
- Performing tests⇔Involves hands-on activities to investigate ✓
- Gathering data⇔Involves collecting information and results ✓
- Which of these is essential for a fair test in a scientific experiment?
- Changing all variables
- Keeping all variables constant
- Changing only one variable ✓
- No need for variables
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- Match each piece of apparatus to its use.
- Stopwatch⇔Measuring time ✓
- Thermometer⇔Measuring temperature ✓
- Ruler⇔Measuring length ✓
- Balance⇔Measuring mass ✓
- Measuring cylinder⇔Measuring volume ✓
- In a scientific investigation, a hypothesis is a guess that doesn't need to be based on previous knowledge.
- True
- False ✓
- The process of categorising objects or events based on common traits is called...
- 'classifying' ✓
Exit quiz
- Match the command word to its meaning in a scientific method:
- Observe⇔To look at and study something carefully. ✓
- Measure⇔To determine the size, quantity, or amount of something. ✓
- Record⇔To write down or take note of data or observations. ✓
- The term for when the similar results are obtained by different people using the same method is...
- 'reproducible' ✓
- Why is it important to use command words in a scientific method?
- To make the method longer.
- To provide clear instructions. ✓
- To make it more scientific.
- To use more technical language.
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- A ______ describes how an experiment is carried out; a step-by-step procedure.
- 'method' ✓
- When gathering results from an experiment, it’s important to be confident they are as good as can be. This can be achieved by:
- choosing appropriate equipment and using it correctly ✓
- ensuring the method is clear and easy to follow ✓
- ensuring the method will allow for repeatable and reproducible results ✓
- ensuring the largest amount of each substance is used
- changing the method slightly each time to get better results
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After completing an investigation you've collected multiple results. When calculating your average result any inconsistent results can be ignored, such as the result "47.3" in this table.- True ✓
- False
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- A method provides step-by-step instructions for how to carry out an investigation.
- Methods should include how equipment is used and specific amounts of substances used.
- Methods should be written so that they are both repeatable and reproducible.
- Methods are written concisely, using clear language and command words.
Common misconception
Sometimes pupils like to write methods in paragraph form, which can be difficult to follow.
Suggest pupils draw labelled diagrams of key steps, write a sentence to describe each diagram, then go back to number them in order.
Keywords
Method - A method describes how an experiment is carried out; a step-by-step procedure.
Command word - Command words are words or phrases that indicate what you are expected to do. They are usually imperative verbs.
Repeatable - When the same person uses the same method and obtains the same / similar results when repeating the experiment.
Reproducible - When a different person uses the same/similar method as another and obtains the same / similar results as that other person.
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