Ways of Acquiring

Knowledge and
Solving Problems

Scientific Method
O Systematic process of empirical

investigation
O Key to unlock bodies of knowledge
O Organized thoughts and procedures

Experimentum Crucis
O Sir Isaac Newton Father of Physics
O Theory of the composition of light

-1660s

The Scientific Method

O Problem
O Hypothesis
O Testing/Experimentation
O Analysis of Data
O Drawing of Conclusion

- False Hypothesis = modify

- True Hypothesis = repeat the
experiment

1: Statement of the
Problem
O Choose a problem
O Knowledge on the chosen topic
O Collect information
O What do you want to know?

Example: How does fertilizer affect the

growth of plants?

2: Formulation of
Hypothesis

O A wise guess

O Statement that presents the possible solution to

the problem
O It can be tested
O It is based on knowledge and research
a.)Null hypothesis(Ho)
-no relationship between the variable
b.)Alternative hypothesis
-has a relationship between the variable

3: Testing Hypothesis and

Gathering of Data
O Conducting an experiment
O Most important part of the scientific

method
O It is done to answer the research
question or investigate a problem
O State a prediction
O fair test

3 Types of Experiments
O Controlled
O Natural
O Field

Controlled Experiment
O Compares the results obtained from

an experimental sample against

control sample.
O Alteration of the variable.

Variable
O Characteristic, number or quantity

that increases or decreases over

time or takes different values in
different situations.
O Controlled, Independent and
Dependent

Controlled Variable
O Constant
O Do not receive any treatment

Independent Variable
O Factors that you change or alter

during the experiment.

O Has effect on other variable.

Dependent Variable
O Values that are observed
O Response to an independent variable

Natural Experiment
O Quasi-experiment
O Rely solely on observations of

variables of the system under study.

O Does not manipulate variable
O Collects data that can affect the
variable

Field Experiment
O Draw a contrast with laboratory

experiments
O Examines the real world using the
scientific method
O Social sciences

O Controlled group

-without variable being tested

Experimental group
-contains variable being tested

4: Analyzing and Presenting

Data
O Data obtained from the experiment
O A table can be used to present the

data

5: Creating Conclusion
O Conclusion- results of the experiment

and statement of how results match

up to the hypothesis.
O Theory- scientifically accepted fact.
O Scientific Law- universally accepted.

6: Reporting of Findings
O Sharing of the results
O Important in perpetuating the gained

knowledge in conducting the

scientific method