Steps of the Scientific Method

Scientific method
This is a collection of techniques to investigate phenomena, acquire new information and correct or integrate previous knowledge. It comprises the following:

• gathering observable, empirical and measurable proof as per certain principles of reasoning
• gathering data by observation and experimentation
• formulation and testing of hypotheses

Researchers adhering to the scientific method propose hypotheses to explain various phenomena. They also design experimental studies to test these hypotheses. It must be possible to repeat these steps to forecast some future results. Theories covering multiple domains may link many hypotheses to form a coherent unit. Such a unit may possibly create new hypotheses or group hypotheses into a particular context. The process of researching must be impartial for a fair interpretation of the results. All the data and methodology must be documented, archived and shared properly. This enables the data to be carefully studied by other scientists and verified by trying to reproduce them. Such a process is called as a "full disclosure". The reliability of the data is established by statistical measures.

What is the scientific method?
The scientific method comprises of asking and satisfying scientific questions. This is made possible by making observations and performing experiments. The experiments executed must be a "fair" test. A test is said to be fair only if one variable is changed while keeping all the other constant. The scientific method is used to detect the cause and effect relations in nature. Experiments are devised in such a way that if one item is varied, the variations in another item can be predicted. There are six steps of scientific method as follows:

1. asking a question
2. performing background research
3. constructing a hypothesis
4. testing the hypothesis by conducting an experiment
5. analyzing the data of the experiment to deduce a conclusion
6. communicating the results

Asking a question
The scientific method begins when a question is asked using the words why or when or how or where or which or who or what regarding something that has been observed. The answer to the question must be something that can be measured and preferably a number.

Performing background research
It is not a good idea to begin from a scratch to answer the question. Rather the library and Internet must be used to gather information and confirm that the past errors would not get repeated.

Constructing a hypothesis
A hypothesis means an educated surmise of how processes occur. Two things must be kept in mind while stating a hypothesis.

1. it must be possible to measure the terms in the hypothesis
2. the hypothesis must answer the original question

The hypothesis must be worded as follows: "If __ this is done __ , then __ this __ will take place".

Testing the hypothesis by conducting an experiment
The experiment that is performed proves the authenticity of the hypothesis. Care must be taken that the experiment is a fair test. As stated earlier, one factor is altered during the experiment and all other factors are kept same. The experiment must be repeated for the same and different set of values to ensure that the initial results were not a fluke.

Analyzing the data of the experiment to deduce a conclusion
After the experiment is complete, all the measured values are collected together. An analysis is done to check whether the hypothesis is proved true. It frequently happens that the hypothesis turns out to be false. Then, the alternative is to formulate a new hypothesis and begin the steps of the scientific method all over again. If the hypothesis turns out to be true, then it becomes necessary to check it again by using a new approach.

Communicating the results
The results of the experiment and the hypothesis must be conveyed to others through a display board or by publishing a final report. When others perform the same experiment and get same results, the hypothesis becomes rock solid.

The scientific method is described as a series of steps. However, new thoughts or information may necessitate going backwards and repeating the steps. As the scientific method comprises backing up and repetition it is called an "iterative process".