Scientific Method

Let's take a minute to review the steps of the scientific method.

Identify a problem.
Most problems are identified by making observations and asking questions.

Gather background information about the problem.
You do this to see if the question has already been answered and to help you focus your questioning.
- Use books, magazines, journals and the internet to research the problem.
- Interview people and complete surveys to gather information.
- Write a background report.
- What do you now know about the problem?
- When you finish your background investigation you should have enough information to ask a question that can be investigated.

Formulate a prediction.
Based on the information you gathered, make a prediction about how the problem may be solved. This prediction is called a hypothesis.
- Your hypothesis should be written in the “If this is done..., then this will happen...” format.
  Example: We believe an increase in waste disposal along the north shore of the island is causing a large bloom of algae. The hypothesis would be written like this:
  If algae growth is related to waste disposal, then an area with a higher rate of waste disposal will have a greater algae growth.
- You are making a prediction about what you think is happening and why.

Design an experiment to test the hypothesis. The design must include:
- materials to be used
- a step-by-step procedure of how to conduct the experiment

Record data you collect during the experiment
Data are the observations and measurements.
- The kind of data you collect will depend on the kind of experiment you do.
- You may make written observations or use tools to make measurements. These observations and measurements are your data.
- You may make charts, graphs, or tables to display your data or show trends in the data to help you determine whether your hypotheses is correct or not.

Analyze the results.
- Your results are the data you have collected.
- What you learned from the data.

Write up your conclusion.
- You analyzed the data.
- Determined whether you proved or disproved your hypothesis.
- You now need to write up an explanation as to why you believe you proved or disproved your hypothesis.
- If your hypothesis was not correct, this is okay! It is part of the process. From there a scientist will ask more questions, rethink their experimental procedure, and try again. In any case, they have still learned something valuable.

How is this information important? What is its real world application?
- How can your results be used in the everyday world?
- Can your results be used to solve other problems?
- Can you and others duplicate your experiment?