The Scientific Method

1)  To use the scientific method you have a problem to solve or question to answer. State the problem.

2)  Begin by discussing with your group what you already know.  Think of probable causes to the problem or an answer to the question.  This will be your hypothesis.

3)  Design an experiment to test your hypothesis.  Make sure you record everything you are going to do, step by step.  Then try it and make sure to record everything (what you do and what happens because of it).

4)  Come up with a solution to the problem or an answer to the question based on the results from your experiment and/or your observations.  Was your hypothesis correct?  Should you change your hypothesis?  If you need to change your hypothesis, you might need to design another experiment to test the new hypothesis.

5)   Finally, make sure that your experiment can be replicated (that anybody can do what you did by following your report step by step, and get the same results you did).