Scientific Method

Scientific methods are the organized steps used by scientists to find answers, solve problems or study situations.
It can also be defined as a systematic process used by scientists to investigate natural phenomena, acquire new knowledge or solve problems.

Significance of the scientific procedure

  1. It helps to solve our day to day life problems.
  2. Applied in conducting research.
  3. It leads to the discovery and development of new products. Most of the materials used nowadays are the product of scientific methods.
The main steps of the scientific methods are:
  1. Problem identification.
  2. Formulation of hypothesis.
  3. Experimentation and observation.
  4. Data collection or recording.
  5. Data analysis and interpretation.
  6. Drawing conclusion.
  7. Reporting results.
  1. Problem identification
    2. This is the first step in the scientific method of studying a problem. It involves making observation about something and ask question about what you have noticed.
  2. Formulation of hypothesis
    3. Hypothesis is a possible explanation to the question you asked. It is an intelligent guess or prediction or suggested explanation of the problem identified.
  3. Experimentation and observation
    4. The main aim of experimentation is to test the hypothesis. It is the step that approves or disproves the hypothesis formulated. Experimentation involves changing and observing results of change of some variables. In this step there are three variables that a scientist deals with:
    1. The independent variable is the factor that is being changed or manipulated by a scientist. It is the quantity that the scientists cause to change. There can be only one independent variable in any experiment.
    2. Dependent variable is the factor that changes due to the change in the independent variable. It is an effect/outcome of the changes made in independent variable.
    3. Controlled variables are the factors which are kept the same throughout the experimentation. They are kept the same to ensure that they do not interfere with the outcomes of the experiment.
  4. Data collection or recording
    5. This involves collecting and recording what you have observed during the experiment. The summary of the results can be recorded in table form showing independent and dependent variables.
  5. Data interpretation and analysis
    6. In analysis the results as recorded in the table are compared to see the relationship between variables. This involves looking for similarities, differences and trends or patterns of the data and give explanations. These trends will help to make conclusion.
  6. Drawing conclusion
    7. A conclusion is the summary of the results of the experiment and a statement of how the results relate to the hypothesis. The result may be negative or positive to the hypothesis. A second experiment (control experiment) is carried out to make sure the results obtained are reliable.
  7. Report the results
    8. After finding the result may be published. Also result can be presented through seminars, symposia and meetings.

Applications of scientific method

  1. Carrying out experiments. An experiment is a scientific test that is done in order to study what happens and gain new knowledge
  2. Project work. A project is a planned piece of work that involves careful study of a subject matter or a problem over a period of time so as to find information on the subject or problem.
  3. Field work (field study). This involves doing practical work in real environment in order to find answers to problems and test hypothesis.