Scientific Method

Scientific Method --- a systematic approach/procedure in investigating nature; a
combination of observations, experimentation and formulation of laws, hypotheses and

theories; an organized approach to research; a process for experimentation that is
used to explore observations and answer questions. Scientists u se scientific meth od to
search for cause and effect relationships in nature. They design an experiment so th a t
changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way.
Sir Francis Bacon --- was born on January 22, 1561 and died on April 9, 1626. H e served
as attorney general and Lord Chancellor of England. His more valuable work was
philosophical. Bacon took up Aristotelian ideas, arguing for an empirical, inductive
approach, known as the scientific method, which is the foundation of modern scientific
inquiry.
From the time he had reached adulthood, Bacon was determined to a lter th e
face of natural philosophy. He strove to create a new outline for the sciences, with a
focus on empirical scientific methods—methods that depended on tangible proof—
while developing the basis of applied science. Unlike the doctrines of Aristotle and
Plato, Bacon's approach placed an emphasis on experimentation and interaction,
culminating in "the commerce of the mind with things." Bacon's new scientific meth od
involved gathering data, prudently analyzing it and performing experiments to observe
nature's truths in an organized way. He believed that when approached this way,
science could become a tool for the betterment of humankind.
Today, Bacon is still widely regarded as a major figure in scientific meth od ology
and natural philosophy during the English Renaissance. Having advocated an
organized system of obtaining knowledge with a humanitarian goal in mind, he is
largely credited with ushering in the new early modern era of human understanding.
STEPS
1. Observation and Statement of the problem --- In any scientific investigation a

problem must be identified. This may come from a simple observation or from the
outcome of another investigation.
This is the initial step of the scientific method that involves observing every aspect
of the phenomenon. And then based on these observations formula te a nd sta te the
relevant questions regarding the aspect of the topic.
The scientific method starts when one ask a question about something that
observed: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?
And, in order for the scientific method to answer the question it must be about
something that can measure.
2. Formulation of hypothesis --- the next step is forming a hypothesis (or a conjecture
explaining any given behaviour) based on that information. It can be a very specific or
cover a broad spectrum. There are several types of hypothesis, such as null, alternative,
statistical, etc. It must be in such a way so that there can be a different possib le resu lt
as deduced from the hypothesis.
Hypothesis – is a statement of what someone thinks the outcome of an

experiment will be. For simpler experiments this can be an educated guess to exp la in
an observation or an “If…, then…” statement. It is a tentative explanation of a n a tu ra l
law based on observation. For more complex experiments this may requ ire a series of
statements of what will happen under specific parameters. A hypothesis does n ot have
to be proven correct by an experiment. It is just as valid to disprove a hypothesis as it is
to prove it.
3. Gathering of data and facts --- Data collection is a methodical process of gathering
and analysing specific information to proffer solutions to relevant questions and
evaluate the results. There are various techniques to gather data and facts namely:
1
record view and background reading; interviews; questionnaires; group
communication; presentation; site visiting; and observation.
** Data --- is collected to be further subjected to hypothesis testing which seeks to
explain the phenomenon.
Data comes in two types:

** Quantitative – consist of numbers obtained by various measurements of the system
like distance, time, temperature, etc.
** Qualitative – consist of general observations about the system; descriptions that may
also use adjectives and adverbs like color, size, shape, texture, etc.
** Facts --- an observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and for all practical
purposes is accepted as “true”.
4. Recording and analyzing the data --- Recording results where one report what
happened in the experiment. It includes detailing all observations and data made
during the experiment. Once the experiment is complete, one collects the
measurements and analyse them to see if the hypothesis is true or false.
** Data table --- is a place to store the results of the experiment in a neat and organized
chart. Data will be used to create graphs or make determinations about the effects
that the independent variable had on the dependent variable.
** Graph --- is a way to look at a lot of data in a short, picture-like way. Graphs ma ke it
easy to establish trends and patterns. The type of graph is determined by what ty pe of
study is being done. The independent variable is usually on the x -axis and the
dependent variable is usually on the y-axis. The most important part of a gra p h is th e
title. A graph’s title should always contain the independent variable, th e d ep end en t
variable and any other information that would allow someone to kn ow exa ctly wh at
the experiment was trying to show. The three most common graphs are:
a. Line graph --- shows the relationship of one variable as it affects the other
b. Bar graph --- shows the quantity of dependent variable verses the ind epen dent
variable
c. Pie graph --- shows the percentage that one of the dependent variables ma kes
up out of the whole of all of the results
5. Drawing of conclusion or Generalization --- the conclusion of an experiment is

anything but the end of the experiment. It is where all of the results from the experiment
are analysed and a determination is reached about the hypothesis. It conclusion takes
what one thought was going to happen and compares it with what actually
happened. The most important part of the conclusion is the explanation as to wh y a n
experiment showed what it showed. The conclusion is the first step in eva lu a ting wh a t
should be changed or modified when future experiments are run.
** Conclusion --- a short paragraph that discusses the overall results of an experimen ta l
procedure and explains whether the proposed hypothesis at the beginning was correct
or not.
** Generalization --- refers broadly both to the process of drawing a general conclusion
from specific observations.
** Theory --- a reasonable explanation of a scientific law. It is derived from a hypothesis
that has been supported by repeated testing.
A scientific theory is a statement of what the data shows. This is one of th e most
misunderstood pieces of the scientific method. Careful analysis of the data should
allow a person to make a general statement about what the experiment ended up
doing.
** Law --- a description of a natural occurrence that has been observed many times.
6. Communicate Your Results --- to complete the science project one will communicate
the results to others in a final report and/or display board. Scientists do this by publishing
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their final report in a scientific journal or by presenting their results on a poster at a
scientific meeting.
Variables in an experiment (Definitions and Examples)
1. Independent variable --- the part of the experiment that one change to measure the
effects of the change. Example is amount of fertilizer “Z” used to the plant in the
experiment.
2. Dependent variable --- the result of the changes that one made. Example is the plant
growth, number of leaves, and number of fruits.
3. Constant variables --- the items in the experiment that have to remain the same for all
experiments to avoid more sources of change to the dependent variable. Example is
the type of plant used in the experiment.

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Scientific Method --- a systematic approach/procedure in investigating nature; a

combination of observations, experimentation and formulation of laws, hypotheses and

1. Observation and Statement of the problem --- In any scientific investigation a

Hypothesis – is a statement of what someone thinks the outcome of an

Data comes in two types:

5. Drawing of conclusion or Generalization --- the conclusion of an experiment is

Variables in an experiment (Definitions and Examples)

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