Observe * Research * Hypothesize * Test * Conclude
The scientific method is a process for forming and testing solutions to
problems, or theorizing about how or why things work. It tries to reduce the influence
of "faith" or bias or prejudice of the experimenter so that the process is
valid anywhere in our world.
From the example, you can now repeat and
demonstrate that the computer and television were the answer. You can repeat this
condition, and predict the outcome (experiment or test your theory).
If not paying your bill was the problem, you can repeat that also, but it can be
expensive and inconvenient!
State the problem and observe conditions Observe or wonder about something in your world, or in your class, and wonder how, why, when, something occurs
Create a short, meaningful title of your project
Write out a statement of purpose that describes what you want to do
Make a careful, step-by-step notation of your observation
Be objective! and do not guess why something is happening. That takes place later
Gather information of similar research This is a literature review
Identify significant conditions or factors of the situation
Summarize the problem in a clear, simple statement. Emphasize the end result or effect
Form your hypothesis
Research options:
What are possible causes for what you observed?
Could they reliably and consistently predict or determine the same
outcome?
What causes are the least likely to affect the outcome?
What are the best choices?
Choose the best option or answer to your problem as your hypothesis. This will be an "educated guess" based upon both your observation and past
experiences
State your hypothesis in a simple, clear statement
Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a cause and
effect of a given situation or set of factors that can be tested, and can
be repetitively proved right (or wrong!) (Remember: A hypothesis is not an
observation or description of an event, that is in the first, observation
stage!)
Test
Types of data you need
The physical sciences of chemistry and physics rely heavily on numbers
as data, and on replicable experimentation to measure and calculate
results
Sciences such as sociology rely on interviews and observation due to
limitations of experimentation with human subjects, and use descriptions
and inferences to arrive at results
Design an experiment to test your hypothesis
Make a step-by-step procedure with each step's purpose
List and obtain materials and equipment you will need
Identify two groups in the test: the control group is your reference
point; no variables are changed; the experimental group is the focus of
changes to affect the outcome
Rely on your past experience to identify variables, but consult with a
knowledgeable person for a second opinion
Run a series of experiments
Change only one variable in each experiment in order to isolate
effects reliably
Make and record accurate measurements
Repeat the test as often as necessary with the experimental group to
verify your results. Always change only one thing, or variable, in each
test
Repeat successful tests with other groups to verify your findings
Common mistakes
The hypothesis is assumed to be the "answer" and is not supported with testing
Data is ignored that doesn't support your outcome
Beliefs/bias blind you to fatal flaws in the testing phase
Systematic errors are not noticed and are repeated within each experiment. These bias the outcome's standard
deviation
Equipment or conditions are not adequate
Draw conclusions
Summarize your results and conclusions use graphs and tables to
illustrate these
Refer back to your observations, data, and hypothesis for consistency
Note difficulties and problems, items for further research, or what
you would do differently if you could
If you did not prove your hypothesis,
you have succeeded in another
sense!
Unsuccessful experiments provide information that can lead to answers
by eliminating options
save someone the trouble of repeating your experiments
Website overview: Since 1996 the Study Guides and Strategies web site
has been researched, authored, maintained and supported by
Joe Landsberger
as an international, learner-centric, educational public service. Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt,
and distribute individual Study Guides in print format in non-commercial educational settings that benefit learners. Please be aware that the Guides welcome, and are under, continuous review and revision. For that reason, reproduction of all content on the Internet
can only be with permission through a licensed
agreement. No request to link to the Web site is necessary.
