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Compare your ideas to the ones below. Write down
anything that is missing.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD:
An Overview
- Identify a problem you would like to solve (this is the
central point).
- Formulate a hypothesis- A hypothesis is a scientist's best
estimation, based on scientific knowledge and assumptions, of what
the answer to the problem is. It must be specific and testable.
- Test the Hypothesis - Design an experiment that proceeds
to answer the specific problem.
- Collect and Analyze the Data - Record the data you collect
from your experiment. If the data show evidence to support the hypothesis,
then you accept the hypothesis. If the data show evidence that contradict
the hypothesis, then you reject the hypothesis. (note: Hypotheses
can only be supported or rejected, never proven.)
- Make Conclusions - At this point, you bring everything together.
What does it all mean. You may identify a new problem or start all
over again with the original problem. In either case, you will need
to report your findings. This is where scientific writing becomes
important.
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