The scientific method is a systematic way to find answers to questions or problems. Although it sounds Scientific, in reality, it just outlines how many people solve problems in everyday life. You have a problem, you think of a solution, you see if it works, and if you didn’t find a solution you start over. The steps of the Scientific Method follow a similar path. Let’s take a look.
Steps of the Scientific Method
Step 1. Identify the problem what would you like to know. Problems are written in the form of a question.
For example, Can dogs learn how to count?
Step 2. Research the problem. This can take many different forms. Research can be in the form of looking on the internet, talking to other people, reading scientific books, magazines, or watching a show.
Step 3. Form a hypothesis that is an educated guess. The hypothesis should be based on
research or life experience. Many times it is written in an “ if-then statement.”
For example, If dogs are trained properly then they can count to ten.
Step 4. Experiment The experiment should be designed to test the hypothesis and during the experimental observations are used to collect measurable data.
The experiment will include three variables, the independent, the dependent, and the control variables. The independent variable it is the part of the experiment that you change to see how it affects the dependent variable. The independent variable is always graphed on the x-axis. The
dependent variable is the part of the experiment that changes in response to the independent variable. The dependent variable is always graphed on the y-axis. The control variables are variables that should be held constant and are used for comparison. In addition, a large sample size increases the accuracy of the experiment and results.
Many times you need to repeat the experiment several times to ensure against errors that may be introduced.
Step 5 Results is the data that you have gathered. Quantitative data is data that is
Numbered or counted, and qualitative data includes illustrations and photographs is data that is
observed.
Step 6 The conclusion, which is a summary of the overall results, and you state whether or not you accept or reject your hypothesis and then describe if there's any practical application to what you have learned.
You can apply these steps to many areas of your life. Here is a couple of example problems from my life that I could use the Scientific Method to help solve. As you look over this list try to think of areas that you could use in your own life.
Why does my pool keep growing algae in the deep end?
How can I run a mile faster?
How can I increase my number of views on YouTube?
An advantage of using the Scientific method is that you look at data and then make a decision if you need to pivot or not. Often if you make a pivot in life it leads to the solution to the problem you are trying to solve.
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