Contents
Key Stage 1
Meaning
An investigation is when we search for the truth by looking at evidence.
Key Stage 2
Meaning
A scientific investigation is when we look at the natural world to answer a question.
About Investigations
- Experiments are a type of investigation where we change one variable to see how it affects another.
- An investigation that is not an experiment is one where we look at the world without changing anything.
Examples
We might investigate the following questions:
- How many legs do a insects have?
- Are all leaves green?
- How many daisies are there in a field?
- What do ants eat?
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A scientific investigation is when scientists examine the natural world to learn more about it.
About Investigations
- Experiments are a type of investigation where one variable is changed to see how it affects another in order to test a hypothesis.
- An investigation that is not an experiment is one where we make observations of the world without changing anything.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A scientific investigation is when scientists examine the natural world to learn more about it.
About Investigations
- Experiments are a type of investigation where one variable is changed to see how it affects another in order to test a hypothesis.
- An investigation that is not an experiment is one where observations are made without affecting the focus of those observations (eg stars can be investigated to learn about them, but they cannot be experimented upon).
References
AQA
- Investigation, pages 265-267, GCSE Chemistry; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Investigations, pages 277-282, GCSE Physics; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA