1.3 Scientific investigation

1.3

Scientific investigation

KEY IDEAS

In this topic, you will learn that: ✚ there are different scientific investigation methodologies ✚ it is important to maintain a logbook during practical investigations ✚ scientific posters are used to report on an investigation. primary data Scientific investigations are a large part of the VCE Biology course. An investigation can be a data collected by the investigator from practical investigation of primary data or a research investigation using secondary data. first-hand sources An individual, a small group or a class may undertake a scientific investigation. However, all the work for the assessment components (logbook and poster) must be completed individually.

secondary data

data collected by another person, not Scientific investigation methodologiesthe investigator, which is relevant You can conduct your scientific investigation in a variety of ways. You should choose a type of to the scientific investigation methodology that would be valid for the aim of the investigation and the research question.

methodology

the approach used to plan and conduct a scientific investigation with justification

aim

the main purpose of the practical investigation TABLE 1 An overview of the different scientific investigation methodologies and possible research questions Inquiry method Inquiry outline Case study A good choice when the investigation is based on a certain activity, behaviour, event or problem that contains a real or hypothetical situation. Research question example: ‘Could … case study be used to explain …?’ For example: Could the ‘Genetics of resistance to HIV infection’ case study be used to explain why some people remain HIV-negative even when exposed to the virus? Classification and identification Classification is investigating phenomena and arranging it into smaller, more manageable groups. Identification is recognising whether phenomena belong to a particular set or are part of a new set. Research question examples: ‘Can a key be used to categorise …?’ ‘Could the … key be adapted to …?’ For example: Can a key be used to categorise the classification of the cave beetle species that was newly discovered in 2018? Controlled experiment

A practical investigation that looks at the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, where all other variables are controlled. Research question examples: ‘What is the effect of the (independent variable) on the (dependent variable)?’ ‘How is the (independent variable) related to the (dependent variable)?’ For example: What is the effect of temperature on the rate of liver enzyme activity? DRAFT ONLY - NOT FOR SALE

TABLE 1 Continued

Inquiry method Inquiry outline Correlation study An observational investigation in which variables don’t have to be controlled, in order to investigate the relationship between the variables and identify factors that have greater importance on those variables. Research question example: ‘Does the … have the greatest impact on …?’ For example: Does smoking have the greatest impact on the degeneration of nerve cells in Alzheimer’s disease? Field work Selecting a particular environment beyond the classroom where observations are made and/or experimental investigations are carried out. Sampling techniques are commonly used to gather qualitative or quantitative data. Research question example: ‘Does … have an effect on … in (chosen environment)?’ For example: Does water temperature have an effect on the distribution of seaweeds in the rockpools of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary? Literature review Involves researching, gathering and interpreting secondary data. This may be used in preparation for an investigation or to help explain observed events. Research question example: ‘Is there evidence of … from scientific investigations to explain …?’ For example: Is there evidence of pheromonal cues between Drosophilia from scientific investigations to explain how species-specific mating occurs? Modelling Involves physically, conceptually or mathematically developing a model that could simulate a concept to assist understanding and knowledge of a particular system. Research question example: ‘Can a model be used to …?’ For example: Can a model be used to demonstrate the effect of stomach pH on digestive enzyme activity? Product, process or system development

Involves designing a product, process or system to meet a human need. This should link technological developments to scientific knowledge. Research question examples: ‘Is there a more efficient way to …?’ ‘What if there was a way to …?’ For example: Is there a more efficient way to record the oxygen output from a photosynthetic plant than by measuring the carbon dioxide used? Simulation Using an existing model to investigate a scientific system by manipulating variables. Simulations are used when variables cannot be controlled in a real system. Research question example: ‘What if the … model was used to …?’ For example: What if a plant cell observed through a microscope was used to determine the effect of temperature on osmosis? Logbook You are expected to keep a logbook for all stages of practical investigations. The logbook can DRAFT ONLY - NOT FOR SALE be a physical book maintained in print form, but it may also be digital if your teacher can authenticate that the work is yours.

The first page of the logbook should contain a list of contents and page numbers that you will add to over the year. When you are planning an experiment, your logbook should include the following information: • lists of ideas (with advantages and disadvantages) • scientific research (including full references) • notes on the experimental process • possible means of collecting data • raw data or results • possible interpretations of data.

All items included in your logbook must be clearly documented and dated.

If you use a logbook, it means that all your information is in one place when you come to write a scientific report or prepare a scientific poster. To satisfactorily complete the student-designed practical or research investigation for Outcome 3 of Units 1 and 2, you must submit a logbook.

Scientific poster

Outcome 3 of Unit 1, the student-designed practical or research investigation, requires a demonstration of key science skills and may be presented as a scientific poster. You can produce the poster in print form or electronically. The poster has a maximum of 600 words. Poster sections Include the following sections in your poster.

Title and name

The poster title should be written as a question. It should be short and draw interest to the poster. It should reference the variables under investigation and species, if relevant.

The title should include the issue or inquiry under investigation, the experimental approach and the system (for example, an experimental set-up, an organism or a model). Don’t forget to include your name!

Introduction

The introduction should include a clear aim, one or two sentences, to state the purpose of the investigation. Then write your hypothesis, which is a statement of the possible outcome of the investigation. Clearly state the independent and dependent variables as well as the direction of the suggested outcome. Then include relevant scientific background to give context to the investigation. Include reliable sources of secondary information and previous investigations that are relevant to the inquiry. If necessary, include definitions and relevant formulas to facilitate greater understanding of the nature of the investigation.

Methodology and methods

Study tip All sections of the poster should be written in a passive voice (avoid pronouns) and past tense (with the exception of the introduction). FIGURE 1 Maintaining a logbook is a critical component of practical investigations. DRAFT ONLY - NOT FOR SALE In this section, describe the type of investigation, materials and the procedure in such a way that another investigator could replicate the investigation. You may use figures, photos and flow charts to demonstrate the methodology instead of a formal scientific report format.

This section is authenticated by logbook entries, and the detail and accuracy of those entries will affect the reproducibility of the investigation. You can find more on accuracy of the methodology in Topic 1.4. Remember, methodology is different from method. Methodology is the rationale for your practical investigation or research. Method is a series of steps or a procedure used to answer your research question(s). Results In your results section, select data from the logbook and present it in an appropriate format to show the trend, pattern or relationship between the variables. There is limited space on the poster, so do not include both a table and a graph that represent the same data set. Sequentially number all graphs, tables and figures in this section, because they are referred to in the discussion section. You should also briefly state the usefulness of the results in the context of the experiment, and whether or not the hypothesis was supported. Discussion In the discussion section: • focus on examining the data and providing explanations that link to accurate scientific understanding • identify if the data supports, partly supports or refutes the hypothesis • use the results to examine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables and then make a comparison to the expected results • explain the significance of the results, derive conclusions and link back to the purpose of the investigation (aim) • explain the appearance of any outliers or other inconsistencies within the data set • describe how the results of the investigation link to previous experiments, which relate to the same or a similar area of investigation • describe any limitations of the experimental design and suggest improvements. Conclusion The conclusion describes the main outcome of the investigation. This should be a response to the research/inquiry question. You should make a brief statement that identifies whether the hypothesis was supported. Link your results to relevant underlying scientific concepts. The conclusion summarises the main limitations of the investigation and suggestions for improvement. Include any identification of future work that would refine or extend the results obtained from the investigation. Do not introduce new information in the conclusion. References and acknowledgements You must include a list of references in an appropriate format; for example, Harvard or APA. Ask your teacher about the preferred referencing style of your school. You should refer to these references in the body of the poster, as embedded quotations or sourced content. In your acknowledgements, thank any individuals, groups or organisations for specific contributions. The references and acknowledgements do not count towards the word count. Study tip Be careful with the use of language in the discussion section. Avoid terms such as ‘proved’, ‘correct’ and ‘disproved’. Instead, use words such as ‘support’, ‘indicate’ or ‘suggest’. DRAFT ONLY - NOT FOR SALE Formatting the poster

When formatting your scientific poster, you should follow the VCAA poster structure (Figure 2). The centre of the poster should be 20–25% of the poster space and include a summary sentence outlining the outcome of the investigation.

Introduction

Title Student name

Discussion

Methodology and methods

Results References and acknowledgements

Communication statement reporting the key nding of the investigation as a one-sentence summary

Conclusion Source: VCE Biology Study Design (2022–2026) reproduced by permission © VCAA FIGURE 2 The layout for the student poster Scientific poster checklist Use the following checklist to make sure you have used the correct writing format for your scientific poster: All sections are written in the third person (passive voice). There should not be any ‘I’,

‘we’, ‘ours’ etc. in your text. All sections, except for the introduction, are written in the past tense. The introduction is written before conducting the experiment so it should be written in present tense. Throughout your poster, key scientific terminology is used to demonstrate your understanding of the investigation. In your discussion and conclusion, terms such as ‘proved’ and ‘correct’ have been avoided and instead words such as ‘support’, ‘indicate’ and ‘suggest’ have been used. Concise language is used throughout the poster to maintain the word limit of 600 words. All sections are included: title and name, introduction (including aim and hypothesis), methodology and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgements and references. The format follows the VCAA poster structure. The logbook is fully completed, to be submitted with the poster.

Describe and explain

1 Explain why it is important to maintain a logbook for practical investigations. 2 Explain the purpose of the results section of the scientific poster. 3 Identify what is located in the centre of the scientific poster.

Apply, analyse and compare

4 Contrast (explain the difference between) an aim and a hypothesis. 5 Compare the scientific investigation methodologies of controlled experiments and field work.

Design and discuss 6 Design a research question for one of the scientific investigation methodologies described in this topic. 7 An experiment was set up to investigate survival rate in brush-tailed rock-wallabies, Petrogale penicillata, in Victoria. Their population, behavioural patterns and reproductive rate, and the weather conditions and availability of food CHECK YOUR LEARNING 1.3DRAFT ONLY - NOT FOR SALE were surveyed over a two-year period. What kind of methodology did this investigation use? Explain your answer.