The scientific method involves five basic steps: (1) making an observation that leads to a question, (2) forming a hypothesis to answer the question, (3) designing an experiment to test the hypothesis, (4) collecting and analyzing data from the experiment, and (5) reporting results so other scientists can verify them. A hypothesis that is supported over time by many investigations and observations becomes a scientific theory, which provides an explanation supported by extensive evidence. Scientific laws describe consistent relationships in nature.
3. Step 1 Observation leads to a question. The first step toward scientific discovery often takes place when a scientist observes something that leads to a question.
4. Step 2 Scientist forms a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a testable explanation or answer to a question based upon a scientist’s observation. It is often referred to as an “educated guess”.
5. Step 3 Scientist tests the hypothesis through an experiment. Quantitative (numerical) and/or qualitative (written descriptions) data is gathered.
6. Step 4 Using the gathered data, the scientist analyzes the results and draws a conclusion. The scientist determines if the hypothesis is true or false.
7. Step 5 The scientist reports the results of the study so that other scientists can repeat the experiment and verify the results.
8. So how does a hypothesis become a theory? A hypothesis that is supported by many separate observations and investigations, usually over a long period of time, becomes a theory. A theory is an explanation of natural phenomenon that is supported by a large body of scientific evidence obtained from many different investigations and observations. A theory results from continual verification and refinement of a hypothesis.
9. In addition to theories, scientists also recognize certain natural laws that are generally known to be true. A scientific law is an expression of a mathematical or descriptive relationship observed in nature such as Newton’s Law of Gravity.
