1. The Scientific Method

2. Overview
The Scientific method is the means by which science has been performed since the days of Galileo. It is a tried and true method, which serves its purpose very well. It is used primarily in science, but can easily be applied to almost any aspect of life.

3. Four steps of the Scientific Method
1) Observation and description of a phenomenon.
2) Formulation of a hypothesis to explain the phenomenon.
3)Use the hypothesis to predict other phenomenon.
4)Perform experiments to test the hypothesis.

4. Observation and Description
In the world around us, there are numerous events occurring, many of which are unexplained. To begin the scientific method, one must find a phenomenon which one can not explain. One must then studiously observe the phenomenon. You are looking for the Who, What, When, and Where at this point.

5. Observation
When observing a phenomenon, there are several things you should pay attention to.
What is the environment of the phenomenon?
What are all of the various pieces involved in the phenomenon?
How do the pieces interact with each other?
What outside forces seem to affect it?

6. Sample Observation
I am walking through the park and I see a patch of very tall grass. It is near the speaker system of the local amphitheater. It looks to get as much rain and sunlight as the surrounding grass which appears to be shorter.

7. Formulate a hypothesis
The next step is to try to explain the phenomenon. This is when we look into the why and how. This will usually be based on previous experience and prior knowledge. The idea of the “educated guess” is what a hypothesis is.

8. Sample Hypothesis
I know that a large amount of music is performed at the amphitheater, and that it comes out through the speakers.
“If I play music around plants, then they should grow more quickly”

9. Make predictions
Now you need to take your hypothesis and make predictions of other phenomena similar to yours. This is once again often based on prior knowledge and experience.

10. Sample Prediction
If I find grass near other speaker systems that play music, then it should be taller than the surrounding grass.

11. Perform experiments
Now you must take your hypothesis and put it to the test. This is usually the most difficult step. You have to control as many variables as possible, to make sure that it is directly related to your specific hypothesis.

12. Experimental Design
Independent Variable – What the scientist chooses to change
Dependent Variable – What the scientist measures to see if the independent variable has affected a change
Constants – These are factors in the experiment that are kept the same
Control – An experiment done without changing the independent variable

13. Sample Experiment
In order to test my hypothesis I start a small garden in my backyard. I setup two small plots of grass. I make sure that both plots have the same type of soil, and the same amount of sun and water. I then have music playing frequently by the one plot, but not the other. I then check the height of the grass on a daily basis, and record observations.

14. Conclusion
The most important thing to remember from this is that your hypothesis can never be proven. It can only be disproved. This is why science under optimum conditions, is a self-checking area.