Practical Investigations – Grade 9 Natural Sciences
In the senior phase you will do several experiments and practical investigations and write them up.
This is why it is important to learn to do it right.
It is called a scientific report.
Here are tips on how to write it:
1. Aim:
The aim usually starts with “to”.
Example:
To determine the brightness of a bulb when connecting more cells in series.
2. Investigative question:
- The investigative question has a question mark.
- This is not a question that can be answered with a yes or no.
- It is safe to start the question with “how”.
- The question must include the variables, that is, what will be changed and
- what remains the same.
Example:
How will the brightness of the bulb change if more cells are connected in
series?
3. Hypothesis:
This is what you think the answer to the investigative question will be.
It may be right or wrong, but it should fit the investigative question.
Example:
The brightness of the bulb will increase as more cells are connected in series.
4. Variables:
Independent variable:
What you will change during the investigation, e.g. the number of cells.
Dependent variable:
What you will be measuring during the investigation, e.g. the brightness of
the bulb.
Constant variable(s):
That which remains the same during the investigation, e.g. the light bulb.
5. Observation:
What you observe, e.g. what you see, hear, smell or feel.
Example:
The bulb glows brighter when the number of cells in series increases.
6. Explanation:
What you have observed is explained.
Example:
More cells in series provide more chemical energy that can be converted into
electrical energy.
7. Conclusion:
The conclusion is an answer to the investigative question.
Example:
The more cells connected in series, the brighter the light bulb burns.
Have a look at the following extract from Doc Scientia’s Grade 9 Textbook and Workbook to see what to expect when writing up a practical investigation:
Practical Investigations:
Practical Investigations Completed:
