What is the Scientific Method?
The scientific method is a process of discovery and learning that involves three basic steps: 1) observation, 2) interpretation, and 3) experimentation. Sometimes the scientific method is described incorrectly or partially. For this reason, you will see different descriptions of the scientific method. However, you should see some aspect of observation, interpretation, and experimentation in these descriptions. Sometimes the five steps of scientific reporting (introduction, results, method, discussion, bibliography) are confused with the three steps (observation, interpretation, experimentation) of the actual process of scientific investigation. The essential goal of scientific observation is to quantify all descriptions by assigning a numerical value to whatever is being observed. Scientific observation is the skill of collecting numerical information. All observations can be described with numbers. This fact makes it possible for computers to render any kind of picture or photograph (
The scientific method is a way of acquiring knowledge through experiment. It is designed to cancel out standard human biases in reasoning by encouraging reproducibility and cross-checking. Scientists form hypotheses, or educated guesses, about aspects of the world, then test them. These experiments must be readily reproducible, so that other scientists can cross-check the data. After thorough testing, a hypothesis may be supported or contradicted by the data. When a body of complementary hypotheses are proven correct, they may be integrated into a sort of “meta-hypothesis” called a theory. Theories can never be proven absolutely correct, and according to scientists, nothing can. This is where scientists are at odds with theists and spiritualists, who believe that through prayer or meditation one can access absolute truths. According to the scientific method, no theory is sacred, and even if thousands of experiments support it, one can still prove it wrong. If a theory is extremely well
The scientific method is a great tool for scientific discovery and for coming up with sound scientific conclusions. You’ll use it constantly in science fair projects as well as basic experiments. This method can be broken down into five simplified steps. You may not need every step for every experiment you do, but as a whole these provide a solid foundation for science exploration. Define the problem. Decide what you want to find out from your project. What aspects of a science topic interest you? For example, you might wonder, “How does lack of sunlight affect plant growth?” You can use preliminary research to narrow down or define your problem if you need to. Observe/Gather data. In this step, collect information related to the problem. You might do this by reading science books and magazines on your topic or by doing research on the internet. (Look for university or government sites.) You can also talk to people who work in a related scientific field and are knowledgeable about your
This website contains todays most up-to-date, complete, clear, concise, and reliable information about the scientific method and scientific method activities that has ever been offered. It covers history of the scientific method, development of the scientific method, definition of scientific method, and scientific method activities. It explains about the steps of the scientific method and gives an assortment of formulas containing from 4 to 10 steps for the scientific method. But best of all, well researched detailed descriptions of the eleven steps or stages of the scientific method are included. This model formula is suitable for lesson plans on the scientific method, and study and teaching of the scientific method. Scientific method worksheets are included and greatly aid using the scientific method of inquiry. In addition to the 48-page booklet on The Scientific Method Today, there are research reports on vital topics concerning the scientific method.
Many students (are you one?) confuse the scientific method and the steps of a science fair project. A science fair project is meant to simulate the steps a scientist uses, but the scientific method is broader. Basically, the scientific method is a method for rationally or logically drawing conclusions about the world around us. Put this way, it is not just scientists that might use the scientific method: it is also used by historians and other social scientists, by criminal investigators, by doctors and engineers, and by any one who wants an organized way to intelligently solve a problem. The scientific method is not the perfect method, and it cannot answer every question. However, it is a very useful tool for studying a wide variety of topics, and most of the scientific and technological knowledge that we take for granted in our society was obtained using it. Every can use the scientific method in a general way in every day life: Why won’t the car start? What is making me sneeze so mu
