| The scientific
method is a process which scientists use to create accurate representations
of the world around us. The scientific method helps scientists to eliminate
error that might result from cultural beliefs and other prejudices.
We will discuss four steps of the scientific
method: Observations, Hypotheses, Experimental Design and the Experiment.
Different people explain the scientific method differently - some
explanations include far more than four steps, while others include less
steps or different steps.
1. Observations: The scientist
observes something that causes him or her to become interested and ask a
question about the phenomenon.
The process of observation has several
steps:
- Become interested in a topic.
- Make an inference (an assumption based on prior knowledge). For example,
if bread is moldy you may infer that it is old.
- Ask a question. (for example, why are carrots orange?)
- Gather information about your question by researching the topic.
2. Hypotheses: A hypothesis is an
educated guess that attempts to answer the question you asked during Step
1. A hypothesis is formed before you begin to design your experiment.
For example: If you asked the question "why are carrots orange?" your
hypotheses may be "carrots are orange because they contain a special
pigment."
3. Experimental Design: The process
of creating an experiment. Procedures must be developed, and the researcher
must decide on the independent and dependent variables. This process
usually requires research on the topic, gathering of equipment and training
of researchers. Once the experiment is designed, predictions must be
made.
A prediction is derived from the hypothesis
and specifically addresses experimental outcome. For example, if you are
given an unknown substance you may ask the question "what is it?"
(observation), and form the hypothesis "it is vinegar." Then, based on your
knowledge that vinegar and baking soda create a chemical reaction when
combined, you may create the prediction that "when the unknown substance is
combined with baking soda, it will fizzle because a chemical reaction is
occurring."
4. Experiment: Experiments test the
hypotheses and predictions. Data collected from the experiment is analyzed,
and conclusions are drawn from it. Was the hypothesis proved or disproved?
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