What is the Scientific Method?
The Scientific Method is an intricate process that helps scientifists prove hypotheses and develop them into theories. The Scientific Method helps us produce repeatable and believable experiments in an organized manner.
Steps of the Scientific Method:
1. Observation - observe or notice a problem
Example - My computer is not working!
2. Question - ask a question about your problem
Example - Why is my computer not working?
3. Hypothesis - make an educated guess, supported by strong background research, as to how or why the problem is occurring [background research - any knowledge that supports, explains, or helps you understand your topic of experimentation]
Example - My computer is not working because the power switch is not on.
4. Prediction - "If...(manipulated variable)...then...(responding variable)..."; put your hypothesis in formal words
Example - "If I turn on the power switch then my computer will turn on."
5. Experimentation/Observation - test your hypothesis with repeatable, observable tests!
Example - Turn the power switch on and then turn on the computer. Turn the power switch off and then turn on the computer. Observe which method works to turn your computer on.
6. Conclusion - analyze your observations and the results of your test; decide whether or not your results supported your hypothesis
Example - My results did support my hypothesis, my computer was not working because the power switch was not on. When I turned on the power switch, my computer turned on. When the power switch was off, my computer did not turn on. This shows that the computer will only work when the power switch is on.
And there’s the Scientific Method!
What does the Scientific Method do for us humans?
The Scientific Method makes experiments believable, repeatable, unbiased, and unprejudiced. Bias and prejudice produce produce experiments that are not valid and therefore not believable. The Scientific Method helps us avoid proving things and constructing theories based on our preferences.
The Scientific Method is an intricate process that helps scientifists prove hypotheses and develop them into theories. The Scientific Method helps us produce repeatable and believable experiments in an organized manner.
Steps of the Scientific Method:
1. Observation - observe or notice a problem
Example - My computer is not working!
2. Question - ask a question about your problem
Example - Why is my computer not working?
3. Hypothesis - make an educated guess, supported by strong background research, as to how or why the problem is occurring [background research - any knowledge that supports, explains, or helps you understand your topic of experimentation]
Example - My computer is not working because the power switch is not on.
4. Prediction - "If...(manipulated variable)...then...(responding variable)..."; put your hypothesis in formal words
Example - "If I turn on the power switch then my computer will turn on."
5. Experimentation/Observation - test your hypothesis with repeatable, observable tests!
Example - Turn the power switch on and then turn on the computer. Turn the power switch off and then turn on the computer. Observe which method works to turn your computer on.
6. Conclusion - analyze your observations and the results of your test; decide whether or not your results supported your hypothesis
Example - My results did support my hypothesis, my computer was not working because the power switch was not on. When I turned on the power switch, my computer turned on. When the power switch was off, my computer did not turn on. This shows that the computer will only work when the power switch is on.
And there’s the Scientific Method!
What does the Scientific Method do for us humans?
The Scientific Method makes experiments believable, repeatable, unbiased, and unprejudiced. Bias and prejudice produce produce experiments that are not valid and therefore not believable. The Scientific Method helps us avoid proving things and constructing theories based on our preferences.
Photos used under Creative Commons from MeRyan, [F]oxymoron
