Scientific Method Steps

Science is an intellectual pursuit which is not just about making observations and collecting data but also analyzing that data and using it to understand the world around us. Scientific method is a series of steps that helps in acquiring and analyzing the data, to look into a phenomenon and integrate our knowledge. But what are the steps in such a method, or steps that the scientists rely on!

The scientific method is a technique for experimentation, which is implemented to explore observations and answer scientific questions. In simple terms, it is a process that involves asking and answering scientific questions, by making observations and conducting experiments. Scientists employ this method to seek for cause and effect relationships in the nature, by performing experiments through a 'fair' test, i.e. changing one variable while keeping all others constant. Collecting observable, empirical and measurable information by observation and experimentation, and formulating and testing hypothesis, are all included in a scientific method. Hence, it helps focus a science fair project question, make a hypothesis, design, execute as well as evaluate the experiment.

State a Question
The starting point of any new research is to formulate a question regarding the area of research and initiate the process by defining it. The question can be in the form of how, what, when, who, which, why, or where, and should be answered in a measurable form, preferably with a number. Reviewing previous research can provide a general overview and help to form a more specialized area.

Perform Background Research
To answer the question, one can collect information from books, internet, etc. A well done research will help to find the best ways to do things, avoid mistakes from the past as well as prepare a fundamental hypothesis around which the experiment can be designed.

Make a Hypothesis
The next step is to construct a hypothesis, which is basically a probable solution to a problem, based on knowledge and research. It is a simple statement that defines the probable outcomes of the experiment as per the research made. The hypothesis should be state in such a way that it can be easily measure, and can help to answer the question. A hypothesis can be written as:
"If __ this is done __ , then __ this __ will happen".

Performing an Experiment
The experiment will help to verify if the hypothesis is correct or not. Hence, it is important to conduct a 'fair' test, i.e. changing one factor at a time and keeping all other conditions constant. At the same time, it is essential to repeat the experiment a quite a number of times to ensure that the initial results weren't just an accident.

Analyze the Data and Infer a Conclusion
Once the experiment is over, collect all measurements and evaluate or analyze them to check, if the hypothesis is correct or not. Generally scientists, despite the result, i.e whether the hypothesis is true or false, construct a new hypothesis and start the entire procedure of the scientific method all over again to re-verify in a new way.

Communicate the Results
After the completion of the science fair project, one has to communicate the results to others in a final report or display board. One can publish his/her final report in a scientific journal or can present the results on a poster at a scientific meeting.

Basically, one can not improve the hypothesis with a single experiment as there are chances that a person can make an error while performing the experiment. However, while summarizing the experiment results, try to collect a few points or evidences that may support your original hypothesis.