The experimenter then analyses all the data and uses it to draw a conclusion regarding the strength of the hypothesis.

In any experiment, it is necessary to conduct several trials to ensure that the results are constant. The experiment must also be reproducible so that it can be tested for errors.Īs the experiment is conducted, it is important to note down the results. it must test a single variable by keeping all other variables under control. In order to be accepted as scientific proof for a theory, an experiment must meet certain conditions – it must be controlled, i.e. The experiment is one of the most important steps in the scientific method, as it is used to prove a hypothesis right or wrong, and to formulate scientific theories.

This is done by conducting a carefully designed and controlled experiment. Once a hypothesis has been formed, it must be tested. The purpose of the hypothesis is not to arrive at the perfect answer to the question but to provide a direction to further scientific investigation. The hypothesis may be formed as soon as the question is posed, or it may require a great deal of background research and inquiry. In the scientific method, a question converts general wonder and interest to a channelled line of thinking and inquiry.Ī hypothesis is an informed guess as to the possible answer of the question. If you have ever wondered why or how something occurs, you have been listening to the scientist in you. While many people may pass by a curious phenomenon without sparing much thought for it, a scientific mind will take note of it as something worth further thought and investigation.Īfter making an interesting observation, a scientific mind itches to find out more about it.

Scientists are naturally curious about the world. However, the scientific method steps detailed below describe the main steps that scientists commonly take when conducting a scientific inquiry. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a finite number of steps or an exact procedure for following the scientific method. It is not so much a series of absolute, unchangeable steps as a guideline to the method that must be used when trying to reach a scientifically acceptable theory about a subject matter. The ‘ scientific method’ merely refers to a broad framework for studying and learning more about the world around us in a scientific manner.

What is the scientific method