Solving problems Observe * Research * Hypothesize * Test * Conclude
Scientific |
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.
You can also use
the scientific method to solve
everyday problems! If the
lights are out in your residence,
you can guess many reasons
why: you didn't pay your
electric bill, there was storm
that knocked out power, the
toaster and microwave overloaded a
circuit, etc.
Look for the
options or possibilities (research),
select the
best explanation (form a
hypothesis),
test
it, and
form a conclusion
or theory.
If you think
toaster and microwave 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!
The
Scientific Method
State
the problem and observe conditions
You 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 observations. 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;
suggest other
ways of solving similar
problems
Remember: research
builds on the work of
others.
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