Search results
Learn the five basic steps of the scientific method, a logical problem-solving approach used by biologists and many other scientists. See examples of how to make observations, ask questions, form hypotheses, make predictions, and test them.
- Ask a Question. The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where? For a science fair project some teachers require that the question be something you can measure, preferably with a number.
- Do Background Research. Rather than starting from scratch in putting together a plan for answering your question, you want to be a savvy scientist using library and Internet research to help you find the best way to do things and ensure that you don't repeat mistakes from the past.
- Construct a Hypothesis. A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. It is an attempt to answer your question with an explanation that can be tested.
- Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment. Your experiment tests whether your prediction is accurate and thus your hypothesis is supported or not. It is important for your experiment to be a fair test.
Jan 1, 2023 · Learn how to use the scientific method to ask and answer questions about the natural world. Follow the steps of making observations, asking a question, researching the topic, formulating a hypothesis, designing and performing an experiment, and analyzing and reporting the results.
- Make an Observation (Theory Construction) Every researcher starts at the very beginning. Before diving in and exploring something, one must first determine what they will study – it seems simple enough!
- Ask a Question. Once a researcher has made observations and conducted background research, the next step is to ask a scientific question. A scientific question must be defined, testable, and measurable.
- Form a Hypothesis (Make Predictions) A hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis is an attempt to answer your research question based on prior observation and background research.
- Run an Experiment (Gather Data) The next step in the scientific method is to test your hypothesis and collect data. A researcher will design an experiment to test the hypothesis and gather data that will either support or refute the hypothesis.
The process in the scientific method involves making conjectures (hypothetical explanations), deriving predictions from the hypotheses as logical consequences, and then carrying out experiments or empirical observations based on those predictions. [ 4] . A hypothesis is a conjecture based on knowledge obtained while seeking answers to the question.
Jul 31, 2024 · Learn how the scientific method is used to construct and test hypotheses in various fields of science. The article explains the key features, applications, and challenges of the scientific method, with examples and references.
Unsure of what the steps of the scientific method are? Not sure how to apply the scientific method? Watch how we use the scientific method to explore the sci...
- 10 min
- 332.6K
- Science Buddies
