1. Scientific Method
How Scientists Work

2. The Scientific Method
A way to answer a question or problem in any field of science
No one way to do science, yet all scientific methods have the same components
Based on deductive thinking or inquiry
May never produce an answer…
This is okay

3. Problem/Question Something observed in nature must trigger a question
Something to solve

4. Research Research is done on the question
Has anyone asked this before?
Has the answer already been found?

5. Hypothesis A possible answer or educated guess
Matches the question
Sometimes written as an “if…then” statement
The hypothesis must be testable
Allows for experimentation

6. Experiment An experiment is designed to prove the hypothesis
Uses observations
Senses or measurements with tools
Generates data
Must have a control
A comparison, something that doesn’t change
Should only test one variable (maybe two)
A variable is something that changes

7. Analyze Data The experiment generates data
The data must be studied and a conclusion must be made regarding the hypothesis
Accept hypothesis
Data seems to support hypothesis
Repeat experiment many times to prove data and conclusion is ok
Reject hypothesis
Look for possible errors and start process over

8. Theory
Sometimes a hypothesis is found to be a true description of nature
This allows a theory to be made
A theory is well tested