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Research Methodology Materials:

Work Sheet 3





Name: ____________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: __________ Class: __________



III. Research Methodology

Materials: Access to A Virtual Field Trip to Griffith program

  1. Scientific Research Methodology

    Scientific research methodology is a procedure used to logically develop an understanding of the world in which we live. Here are the basic steps involved in a scientific study:

    1. Define an area, subject, question, or problem to be studied.

    2. Do background research to determine what is already known about the subject to be studied.

    3. Develop a hypothesis or multiple hypotheses to guide the project or study.

    4. Develop a null hypothesis

    5. Gather data and observations by conducting field studies or experiments.

    6. Analysis and interpret results and data.

    7. Use the analysis to support, reject, or reevaluate the hypothesis and the null hypothesis.

    8. Publish the results of the scientific research.

    Write down the letter of the step in the scientific methodology that is best represented by each statement.

    ____ a. Reading articles in Scientific American and the American Journal of Geological Research

    ____ b. Talking with a geophysicist at Cal Tech.

    ____ c. The earthquake occurred along the San Andreas Fault on February 13, 1987.

    ____ d. There is a link between the mutations found in frogs and water pollution.

    ____ e. There is not a link between the mutations found in frogs and water pollution.

    ____ f. 15 female rattlesnakes died between March 30 and April 15, 1999.


  2. Scientific Research Methodology

    Read the following statements, determine the step in the science research methodology.Write the number on the space provided.

    _______ Mary as a geologist for the works for the City of Los Angeles. The city is interested in expanding the landfill in Griffith Park.

    _______ Mary went to the library at UCLA to read about Griffith Park in Special Report 33.

    _______ Mary believes that the there is a major fault at the base of the mountains.


The Integrating Technology into Science Instruction webpages project is partially funded by grants from The Boeing Company and The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation. Integrating Technology into Instruction is a project of Target Science (target@laep.org) and is displayed on the Los Angeles Educational Partnership Learning Exchange. Target Science is an initiative of the Los Angeles Educational Partnership.
Updated August 2000