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(Term 1) Grade 9 - The Scientific Method (Notes)

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56 views

(Term 1) Grade 9 - The Scientific Method (Notes)

Uploaded by

tasneemsalie364
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Grade 9 Natural Science 2025

The Scientific Method

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD


The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to
investigate a natural occurrence.

Scientific Experiment: Every time an experiment is done, the following


steps must be followed:

1. What is my question?
This will be the investigative question which must be well defined,
measurable and controllable.
Remember: a question with a “yes” or “no” as an answer is not a good
investigative question

2. What is my prediction?
This is what you think will happen

3. What is my hypothesis?
It is a possible explanation for a
problem using what you know and
what you observe. The format of a
hypothesis is always: IF independent
variable… THEN dependant variable.
For example, if I heat (independent
variable) water, then the sugar will
dissolve (dependant variable) easier.
4. What will I change, measure, keep the same? When investigating
something, you must change certain factors, some of them will be kept
constant and observation is what you are measuring.
These factors are called VARIABLES. There are dependant variables which
you measure. The independent variable is the one that is changed by you.

Mrs T. Salie Page 1 of 5


Grade 9 Natural Science 2025
The Scientific Method

The constant variables are the ones that must stay the same for the
duration of the investigation. The variable that must be measured is the
dependant variable. Most investigations also make use of a control.
During the control the limiting factor is removed.

Independent Variable - something that is changed by the scientist

 What is tested
 What is manipulated

Dependent Variable – something that might be affected by the


change in the independent variable

 What is observed
 What is measured
 The data collected during the investigation

Controlled Variable – a variable that is not changed

 Also called constants


 Allow for a “fair test”

Mrs T. Salie Page 2 of 5


Grade 9 Natural Science 2025
The Scientific Method

5. What equipment will I need?


This is also known as the apparatus. You can name them, or describe the
method and/or make a diagram of the apparatus and the setup.

6. How will I record my data?


Will you describe the results in words, or make a drawing or use a table?
Different methods will suit different investigations.

7. How will I present my results to others?


You can use diagrams or tables or graphs, any way in which others will be
able to read your results in an easy, accessible way.

8. What does my data tell me?


Is there a general trend in the result? What is your conclusion?

9. Status of the Hypothesis:


Is it accepted (correct according to the results of the experiment) or
rejected (not according to the results of the experiment)?

10. What can I do next?


Is there a follow-up on this experiment? If you have to do it over, what will
you change?

Mrs T. Salie Page 3 of 5


Grade 9 Natural Science 2025
The Scientific Method

Assignment 1
1. Study the following scenario and answer the following questions
regarding the information:
The Johnson family has decided to try to save electricity (and
money at the same time). They were told that they could
replace their regular light bulbs with special fluorescent bulbs
that use less energy. They wonder if it is really worth doing.

1.1. What is the investigative question?

____________________________________________

1.2. Write a testable hypothesis in the "If..., then" form. Be sure it is in this
form and a complete sentence and not a question.

____________________________________________
____________________________________________

1.3. Describe in 3 – 6 sentences any experiment Peter could do to test his


hypothesis.

____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
1.4. What would the independent variable be?

___________________

Mrs T. Salie Page 4 of 5


Grade 9 Natural Science 2025
The Scientific Method

1.5. What would the dependent variable be?

___________________

1.6. What would the control variables be?

____________________________________________
____________________________________________

1.7. What would you prediction be?

____________________________________________
____________________________________________

1.8. How will you record your results?

____________________________________________
____________________________________________

1.9. If one filament light bulb uses 2kW per hour and a fluorescent bulb
0.5kW per hour, estimate the amount of energy saved per year if you
use the light bulb for 5 hours per day.

____________________________________________

Mrs T. Salie Page 5 of 5

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