The Scientific Method
A Way to Solve Problems and
Gain New Understanding
What is the Scientific Method?
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The scientific method is a systematic way
of solving problems or answering
questions.
This means that you go through a series of
steps to solve a problem or gain new
understanding.
You can use this method not only in
science, but for any problem or question.
Before Beginning…
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Before using the scientific method to solve
a problem, you must first make
observations to identify your problem or
question.
This means watching, listening, and
looking for something to ask a question
about.
For example…
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Think of the last time you were curious
about something that you didn’t
understand. What did you do? You could
have used the Scientific Method to find
answers.
Steps of the Scientific Method.
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Step 1 - State the question
Step 2 - Form a hypothesis
Step 3 – Identify the variables
Step 4 - Experiment, Test, or Study
Step 5 - Record and Graph data
Step 6 - Make a conclusion
Step 1: State the Question
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Science is all about answering questions
and solving problems. Without a problem
or question, science doesn’t exist.
For example: “How could I improve a
particular design of paper airplane so that
the plane will fly further?” “If I add weight
to the tip of the paper airplane design, will
the plane fly further?” or “Is the ice on the
pond thick enough to play hockey?”
Step 2: Form a Hypothesis
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A hypothesis is an “educated guess or
prediction.”
The hypothesis is what you set out to
support or not support.
For example: “If weight is adding to the tip
of the paper airplane, then the plane will
fly further, because the plane is balanced.”
Step 3: Experiment / Test / Study
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This is where you find out if your hypothesis
was supported or not supported.
Design an experiment, test or study that will
determine if your hypothesis is supported.
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Identify manipulated and control variables (factors
in an experiment, test or study that can be
changed).
Manipulated variable: This is what you are testing, and
only one should be tested.
 Control variables: A standard for comparison. They
include all factors that possibly could change but must be
controlled so that they remain the same.
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Step 4: Record and Graph Data
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Data is the information you gathered
during your experiment, test or study.
Data can be gathered in the form of words
(qualitative), measurements (quantitative)
or both.
Examples include: Charts, graphs, dates,
times, DETAILS.
Step 5: Make a Conclusion
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This is where you analyze your data in
order to tell whether your hypothesis was
supported or not supported. Conclusions
answer the posed question.
Your conclusion is also where you discuss
any problems or concerns that may have
occurred during your experiment, test or
study.
This is also where suggestions would be
made for the design of any future
experiments, tests or studies.
Final Thoughts…
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The scientific method is a step-by-step
way of answering questions and solving
problems.
You use the scientific method every day,
even if you don’t know that you are!
THE END