Diploma in Applied Science
(Forensic Science)
UNIT 3 SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
Diploma in Applied Science (Forensic Science)
Unit 3 Scientific Investigation
Aims and purpose
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to explore the protocols associated with scientific
investigations. The unit is based around working as a research scientist, setting up an idea,
testing it and then reporting the findings.
Unit introduction
In many research and development, analytical and pilot scale laboratories technicians are
employed to safely carry out new practical investigations following prescribed laboratory
procedures and repeating them to ensure consistent results are obtained. This science
practical investigation unit is designed to allow learners to develop and demonstrate their
science knowledge, practical and project management skills. The investigation should be
carried out in stages where learners should discuss with their tutor how they will plan, carry
out and analyse the results of their experiment and present it as a scientific report. Learners
may be asked to carry out a practical investigation that has been designed by somebody else
or to suggest their own design. The topic chosen for the scientific investigation will depend on
the course pathway the learner is following and the resources and equipment available. This
unit places an emphasis on Health and Safety issues and on the learner’s ability to plan,
implement their ideas, collect and use data and draw conclusions from the results of the
investigation. One investigation should be used to cover all the outcomes, although the
experiment may be repeated on several occasions to ensure that the results are correct and
accurate. It is not intended that learners should use skills, techniques and information gained
from other units. This unit may be linked with many other units in the programme but it is
intended that the investigation used is chosen specifically for this unit.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Be able to plan an investigation relevant to the area of study
Be able to undertake the planned investigation, using appropriate scientific principles
Be able to collect, collate and analyse the results from the investigation
Be able to draw conclusions from the investigation.
Diploma in Applied Science (Forensic Science)
Task 1
You are working for a company making electrical power lines and due to the recenrt austerity
measures brought in by the coalition government you have been asked to review material
selection for these power lines. Resistance is what causes millions of pounds of waste due to
loss of electrical energy via heating. How can this be reduced?
P1 state the objectives and hypothesis relating to the investigation
P2 produce a list of relevant research resources using a recognised protocol for recording
them
P3 produce a realistic working plan for the experiment including health and safety
assessments
M1 analyse the research information and discuss its relevance to the planned experiment
D1 evaluate the different approaches considered for the investigation, justifying the
hypothesis chosen
You need to complete the following task

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State what you plan to achieve P1
Produce a concise hypothesis P1
Use research notes, and list your notes in rough according to the suggested protocol
ready to reproduce them for your final report P2
Draw a table of your research references showing the information from each
concerning your chosen topic of investigation. Analyse which ones are relevant to your
work and which ones are not and discuss giving reasons M1
Write out a method P3
Outline any other methods you may have considered and give reasons to justify your
final choice D1
Grading tips
To achieve P1, P2 and M1 make sure you provide good points of reference and background
information from many sources. List each source as you work through them. To achieve P3
include descriptions of the main aspects covered in ‘Method’ in the textbook. There are
various ways to approach the investigation, make sure you evaluate them fully to achieve D1
Deadline:_____December 11th___________
Task 2
You are now ready to test your wires to determine ways to reduce resistance. There are new
recruits who have just started working for the company who need to be shown Good
Laboratory Practice. Show them how it is done.
P4 demonstrate the required manipulative skills to assemble relevant equipment and material
P5 safely carry out the planned investigation
P6 demonstrate the ability to accurately record the results obtained, using scientific protocols
M2 justify the choice of experimental techniques (and their modification if any) as a means of
increasing accuracy, reliability and validity
D2 evaluate the effectiveness of the investigative procedures, suggesting how these could be
improved
You need to complete the following task




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Arrange and assemble your apparatus from your working plan, following health and
safety guidelines P4
Carry out your practical activity using GLP, observing safe working practices and
demonstrating good manipulative and observational skills P5
Make notes of your observations and measurements in a suitable format P6 PART
Justify why the equipment you are using is suitable. Comment on any alternative
methods to achieve the same results, and include a discussion on the accuracy and
precision of the methods used M2
Evaluate your procedure and provide a detailed list of improvements that could be
made to your procedure D2
Grading tips
Identify the apparatus needed and place at your workstation ready to assemble for P4. A
practice run may be a good idea. Exaggerate your observations to make sure your tutor
witnesses your work for P5. To achieve P6 your work must be accurately recorded. For M2,
make a list of modifications you made to complete the activity. To achieve D2, break down the
procedure into a series of steps and outline improvements at each step explaining how the
change may affect the outcome.
Deadline _______December 18th 2010__________
Task 3
You are now ready to show your data that you have obtained from the investigation. It is to be
presented to your peers so they can verify your findings. Use a variety of forms of information
to present your data properly.
P6 demonstrate the ability to accurately record the results obtained, using scientific protocols
P7 analyse the results obtained using appropriate statistical techniques
M3 justify the statistical techniques used by relating them to the validity of their findings
You need to complete the following task



Produce a table of results for an investigation which includes correct units, accuracy of
recording and precision to acceptable significant figures (P6) PART
Conduct statistical tests to analyse your data and draw a conclusion (P7)
Comment on the method you used to analyse the data. Does the conclusion meet your
expectations and does the statistical method provide evidence for this? (M3)
Grading tips
To achieve P6 your notes taken during the practical should be sufficient as long as they are
neat. Work through your maths carefully, keeping track of your units (if any) and prefixes. Get
them checked by friends, or tutors to get P7. To complete M3, a graph may help. Is the
chosen statistical method the most appropriate?
Deadline _______January 8th 2011__________
Task 4
You have now had your investigation checked by your peers so it is now time to publish your
work for your department manager. The findings from your work will be used to inform the
companies long-term planning when selecting how to build new power lines more costeffectively. This is due by the end of the week.
P8 explain the conclusions gained from the investigation
P9 present the conclusions in a format that uses accepted scientific protocol and language.
M4 justify the conclusions made, drawing on primary and secondary research data.
D3 using scientific protocols evaluate the outcomes of your investigation.
You need to complete the following task



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Present your results in tables or graphical forms (P9)
Draw conclusion from these, explaining any relationships which may appear in the
results, and if the results confirm or negate your hypothesis (P8)
Provide sound reasons for your conclusions and reinforce your points with research
information (M4)
Evaluate the reliability of your findings and the investigation technique, including
suggested improvements or possible further testing (D3)
Grading tips
Tables and graphs must be labeled with the correct units. Scatter points must be small and
accurately displayed on suitable graph paper to achieve P9. This then be explained clearly
what they are showing for P8. Give a clear statement from background research and attempt
to link it to your results for M4. Try to demonstrate the quality of your investigation to the
reader by considering every stage within your report to achieve D3.
Deadline ________January 15th 2011_________
Outline of evidence requirements
Assessment
criteria
Assessment Description
P1
state the objectives and hypothesis relating
to the investigation
3.1
P2
produce a list of relevant research
resources using a recognised protocol for
recording them
3.1
P3
produce a realistic working plan for the
experiment including health and safety
assessments
3.1
M1
D1
P4
P5
M2
D2
P6
P7
M3
P8
P9
analyse the research information and
discuss its relevance to the planned
experiment
evaluate the different approaches
considered for the investigation, justifying
the hypothesis chosen
demonstrate the required manipulative
skills to assemble relevant equipment and
materials
safely carry out the planned investigation
justify the choice of experimental
techniques (and their modification if any) as
a means of increasing accuracy, reliability
and validity
evaluate the effectiveness of the
investigative procedures, suggesting how
these could be improved
demonstrate the ability to accurately record
the results obtained, using scientific
protocols
analyse the results obtained using
appropriate statistical techniques
justify the statistical techniques used by
relating them to the validity of their findings
explain the conclusions gained from the
investigation
present the conclusions in a format that
uses accepted scientific protocol and
language.
Complete
Assignment
3.1
3.1
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2, 3.3
3.3
3.3
3.4
3.4
M4
justify the conclusions made, drawing on
primary and secondary research data.
3.4
D3
using scientific protocols evaluate the
outcomes of your investigation.
3.4