WHAT IS THE
SCIENTIFIC
METHOD?
Step 1: Observation
 An observation is the
beginning of everything
 What you perceive with
your senses? What can
you observe about the
chosen topic?
Step 2: Forming a Question
 Based
on
your
observations
 Developing a problem
that can be solved by the
process
of
experimenting
 Usually a “How’ or
“Why” question?
Step 3: Complete Background
Research
 Have
the
subject
knowledge and collect
information needed to
know about the subject
of the experiment
 This is used to build the
hypothesis
Step 4: Develop a Hypothesis
 Hypothesis is a well
jotted out forecast to the
answer of the certain
problem
 It is carried out based on
research
and
prior
knowledge.
 An answer to the
question framed.
 There is no right or
wrong hypothesis using
our
question
lets
develop a hypothesis.
 Format of Hypothesis
 Generally, two formats
are
used:
“If…then…because…”
and
“I
think…because…”
 Both formats include the
all-important “because
statement” used to
justify our supposed
forecast.
Step 5: Conduct the
Experiment and test the
hypothesis
 This is where an
experiment
is
conducted.
 A set of repetitive
methods is developed to
conduct the experiment.
 The main aim is to test
our
hypothesis
by
collecting the facts and
data
 Includes variables – a
measuring quantity that
is used or changed
during the experiment.
 What are our variables
used in the experiment?
 Independent variable or
dependent variable
Step 6: Collect and Analyze the
Data
 Organizing the data and
solving the problem with
the calculations
 Explaining the data
gathered
from
the
experiment.
 Lastly,
observations,
information and data are
collected
from
the
experiment.
 Use
of
pictorial
representation
via
charts, graphs, averages,
percentages, etc.
Step 7: Conclusion
 A summary of results,
the answer to the chosen
question.
 What could go wrong
and what are the
possible sources of
error?
 Does your data (answer)
support
your
hypothesis? Why or why
not? What conclusion
can you make about your
topic
 To check whether the
data
supports
the
hypothesis.
 Revise
 Yes, then you made a
scientific Discovery!!
 If No make a new
hypothesis and test
again.