THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD – step-by-step way of solving a problem.

STEPS:

1. Recognition of the problem

2. Statement of the problem
3. Collection of all available information related to the problem
4. Formulation of hypothesis
5. Testing of hypothesis
6. Interpretation of data
7. Making conclusions

OBSERVATION is the data or information obtained from the environment using the five senses.

 Scientific observations should be: 1) OBJECTIVE, 2) EMPIRICALLY VERIFIABLE, and 3)

SYSTEMATIC/ORGANIZED.

DESCRIPTIONS, however, are the ordering of observations into words.

 Valid descriptions should be: 1) OBJECTIVE, 2)ACCURATE/EXACT, 3)UNAMBIGUOUS,

4)LOGICAL/ORGANIZED, 5)COMPLETE, and 6)STRAIGHTFORWARD.

GUIDELINES IN WRITING A SCIENTIFIC PAPER (Duka and Diaz, 2007)

A good scientific paper must be:

1. CLEAR
a. Readers must understand it.
b. Technical terms are defined.
2. CAREFULLY WRITTEN
a. Never cram!
b. Make an outline before writing your paper.
i. It gives an overview of what you want to say and how to say it
ii. Serves to ensure continuity of thought.
c. Organize your discussion.

Parts of a Scientific Paper

1. Title Page
 Title of author, name of author, duration of study, footnote (one inch from the bottom of
the paper “1A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements in BOTANY
1 Laboratory under Ms. Eleanor C. Villaverde, 1st semester, AY 2013-2014.”
 Title should not be too long but not too short; enough just to capture the study’s focus.

2. Abstract
 Problem, hypothesis, short description of procedure, major results, conclusion
 Should serve as an overview of the whole paper
 Single spaced. Maximum of 250 words. 2” margin on left and 1.5” on right.
 Past tense (except hypothesis and conclusions).
 3. Introduction
 Background information of the study, hypothesis, objectives, date, time, and place
 Citations needed.
 Double-spaced. Margins 1” right and left, until Literature cited.

4. Materials and Methods

 Step-by-step discussion of procedure.
 Past tense and passive voice.

5. Results and Discussion

 Organized results plus tables, graphs, charts, and illustrations.
 Tables – labelled with numbers and titles at the top
 Graphs, charts, illustrations – labelled with figure numbers and titles at the bottom.
i. Tables, figures, etc. must be placed after the page it is cited.

6. Summary and Conclusion

 Review of results and discussion.
 Hypothesis, short description of procedure, major results, significant conclusions, important
recommendations.

7. Literature Cited
 Bibliographical entries of publications or citations made.
 Arranged alphabetically by author’s surnames.
 Double-spaced between entries; single-spaced within an entry.
 When in doubt, CITE YOUR SOURCES ALWAYS.
 Must include at least three books or journal articles EXCLUDING electronic and online
sources.
i. For a book
Author(s). Year of publication. Title of book. Edition or volume. Place of
publication: Publisher. Page(s).

ii. For a journal/encyclopaedia

Author(s). Year of publication. Title of article. Name of Journal. Volume: page(s).

iii. Electronic source

Author(s). Year posted or updated. Title of article. <URL>. Date accessed.

Other reminders for format:

1. No contractions/abbreviations.
2. Spell out numbers (less than ten).
3. Examine BIO 1 lab manuals for visual guidance.

Before submitting, check if:

1. Discussion is properly arranged

2. Information is true
3. Figures and tables help understand paper
 4. Irrelevant information has been eliminated
5. Errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation have been corrected
6. Format is right.

References:

Deyto, R.C. 2012. Personal communication.

Duka, I.M.A. and Diaz, M.G.Q. 2007. Biology 1 Laboratory Manual: An Investigative Approach. 8 th edition.
Philippines: GMBD, IBS, CAS, UPLB.

Deadline of papers: TWO WEEKS AFTER PERFORMING EXERCISE 8. Late papers and plagiarized papers will
have their dreadful consequences.