What is Scientific Investigation?
The research methods and techniques that are used by scientists in order to develop hypotheses, conduct experiments, gather and analyze data, and draw conclusions are known as scientific investigation. Sometimes the evidence does not provide enough solutions but it may lead to new issues for investigation. The methods used by scientists mainly to do scientific investigation involve scientific methods. The steps used by scientists to perform scientific investigation include the following though there may be slight variations-
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Let us study these steps in detail.
Making Observations
Almost every scientific investigation begins with an observation. Suppose you observe in your house that your coffee maker is not working.
Asking a Question
After we observe something unusual we often question ourselves. In this case, you might ask yourself whether there is something wrong with my electrical appliance.
Forming a Hypothesis
The next step comes down to the hypothesis. A hypothesis can be best described as the possible answer to a scientific question. It is very important for the hypothesis to be logical though it can be falsifiable. If we want to prove the hypothesis false, observations must be made that would disprove the hypothesis. In our example, we will see if there is something wrong with only this electrical appliance or all the electrical appliances.
Testing the Hypothesis
Whenever we want to test a hypothesis, a prediction is to be made first. Prediction is a statement that can tell us what might happen under certain conditions. It is often expressed in this manner: If X occurs, Y will happen. Therefore, on the basis of the hypothesis, you make a prediction. In our case, we will plug in another electrical appliance, supposedly a mixer, and check whether it is also not working.
Drawing Conclusions
In this step, we check the results of our test whether the evidence agrees with our prediction and supports our hypothesis or not. It is not always possible that a hypothesis can always be true as someday a piece of evidence might be found that may disprove the hypothesis. In our example, we find out that the mixer we plugged in is working fine.
Communicating Results
This is the last step while performing scientific experiments in which you communicate the results and learnings with others. It is one of the most important steps as it allows others to test your hypothesis. If the other researchers also get the same results while testing your hypothesis, they will add support to the hypothesis. It might also be possible that if the other researchers get different results, in this case, the hypothesis would be disproved.
Do you know?
Scientific investigation is the heart of science. A scientific investigation is conducted through a set of procedures- firstly it starts with making an observation, then asking a question, then comes the stage when one has to form a hypothesis and then test it, finally draw a conclusion and communicate the results. It provides us with answers to matters unbeknownst to us.
FAQs on Scientific Investigation
1. What is a scientific investigation?
A scientific investigation is a planned, systematic procedure used to answer a question or test a hypothesis about the natural world. It is not a random process; it involves making structured observations and collecting measurable evidence to provide reliable, evidence-based explanations for various phenomena in Physics and other sciences.
2. What are the key steps of a scientific investigation?
While the exact number of steps can vary, a scientific investigation in Physics generally follows a structured sequence to ensure clarity and validity. The core steps are:
- Observation and Questioning: Identifying a phenomenon and formulating a clear, testable question about it.
- Forming a Hypothesis: Proposing a tentative, cause-and-effect explanation or prediction that can be tested through experimentation.
- Experimentation: Designing and conducting a controlled experiment to gather data, carefully managing variables.
- Data Analysis: Recording, organising, and interpreting the data collected from the experiment.
- Drawing a Conclusion: Determining whether the analysed data supports or refutes the initial hypothesis.
- Communication: Sharing the findings, methodology, and conclusion with others for peer review and verification.
3. What are the main types of scientific investigations?
Scientific investigations can be broadly categorised into three main types based on their approach:
- Descriptive Investigation: Focuses on making detailed observations and recording what is seen. For example, mapping the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet using iron filings.
- Comparative Investigation: Involves comparing different objects or conditions without controlling variables. For example, comparing the conductivity of different metals like copper, aluminium, and iron.
- Experimental Investigation: This is a controlled test where a researcher actively manipulates one variable (the independent variable) to observe its effect on another (the dependent variable). This is the only type that can establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
4. What are the essential characteristics of a good scientific investigation?
A credible and robust scientific investigation must possess several key characteristics:
- Objectivity: The findings must be based on measurable facts and evidence, free from the investigator's personal biases or opinions.
- Replicability: The entire experiment, including its procedure and results, should be repeatable by other scientists to confirm its validity.
- Systematic Approach: The investigation must follow a logical, ordered procedure rather than a haphazard one.
- Controlled Variables: In an experiment, all factors must be kept constant except for the one being tested to ensure a fair test.
- Verifiability: The evidence and conclusions must be open to scrutiny and can be checked and confirmed by others.
5. What is the difference between a hypothesis, a theory, and a law in Physics?
These terms represent distinct levels of scientific certainty and scope:
- A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction for a narrow set of conditions. It's a starting point for an investigation. For example, “A heavier ball will fall faster than a lighter one in the absence of air resistance.” (This hypothesis would be disproven).
- A theory is a broad, well-substantiated explanation for a wide range of phenomena, supported by extensive evidence from numerous investigations. It explains the 'why'. For example, Einstein's Theory of General Relativity explains how gravity works.
- A law is a descriptive statement, often a mathematical formula, that reliably predicts what happens under certain conditions but does not explain why. For example, Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation (F = Gm₁m₂/r²) describes the force of gravity but doesn't explain its mechanism.
6. Why is a systematic method crucial in scientific investigations?
A systematic method is crucial because it ensures the results of an investigation are reliable and unbiased. By following a structured process, scientists can be confident that their conclusions are based on the evidence they collected, not on random chance or preconceived notions. This logical approach also allows for replication, where other scientists can follow the same steps to verify the findings, which is a fundamental principle for building accepted scientific knowledge.
7. Can you give a simple example of a scientific investigation in Physics?
Certainly. Let's investigate the relationship between the angle of an inclined plane and the acceleration of a rolling ball.
- Question: How does increasing the angle of an inclined plane affect a ball's acceleration?
- Hypothesis: Increasing the angle of the plane will increase the ball's acceleration.
- Experiment: Set a ramp at a small angle (e.g., 10°). Release a ball from the top and time its journey. Repeat this for larger angles (e.g., 20°, 30°), keeping the ball and release point constant (controlled variables). Calculate acceleration for each angle.
- Conclusion: The data will show that acceleration increases as the angle becomes steeper, thus supporting the hypothesis.
8. What role does a disproven hypothesis play in a scientific investigation?
A disproven or falsified hypothesis is not a failure; it is an extremely valuable outcome in science. When evidence shows a hypothesis is incorrect, it effectively eliminates a wrong path and helps scientists narrow down the correct explanation. This result forces a revision of ideas, leading to a new, more refined hypothesis and a better-designed experiment. Therefore, disproving a hypothesis is a critical step that advances scientific understanding by guiding research in a more accurate direction.
