The scientific method is a process used by scientists to explore observations and answer questions through experimentation. It involves asking a question, researching background information, proposing a hypothesis to predict the outcome of an experiment, designing and conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, analyzing the experimental data, and communicating the results. The goal is to discover cause-and-effect relationships and determine if all available evidence can provide a logical answer to the original question. Understanding and following the basic steps of the scientific method helps focus an investigation and work through observations and data to reach the best possible conclusion.

1. Scientific
Method

2. What?
The scientific method is a
process for experimentation that
is used to explore observations
and answer questions.

3. In fact, there are probably as many versions of the
scientific method as there are scientists! But even when
modified, the goal remains the same: to discover cause
and effect relationships by asking questions, carefully
gathering and examining the evidence, and seeing if all
the available information can be combined in to a
logical answer.

4. Whether you are doing a science
fair project, a classroom science
activity, independent research, or
any other hands-on science
inquiry understanding the steps
of the scientific method will help
you focus your scientific question
and work through your
observations and data to answer
the question as well as possible.
Scientific
Method

5. STEPS IN
SCIENTIFIC METHOD

6. 1. Ask a Question
The scientific method starts when you ask a
question about something that you observe:
How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or
Where?
For a science fair project some teachers
require that the question be something you
can measure, preferably with a number.

7. 2. Research
Background Research Plan
Finding information
Bibliography
Research Paper
Rather than starting from scratch in putting
together a plan for answering your question,
you want to be a savvy scientist using
library and Internet research to help you
find the best way to do things and ensure
that you don't repeat mistakes from the
past.

8. 3. Hypothesis
Propose a hypothesis. This is a sort of
educated guess about what you expect. It is
a statement used to predict the outcome of
an experiment.
It is written in terms of cause and effect.
Alternatively, it may describe the
relationship between two phenomena.
In reality, you probably expect a change but
rejecting a hypothesis may be more useful
than accepting one.

9. 4. Experiment
Design and perform an experiment to test your
hypothesis.
An experiment has an independent and dependent
variable. You change or control the independent
variable and record the effect it has on the
dependent variable.
It's important to change only one variable for an
experiment rather than try to combine the effects
of variables in an experiment.
• Procedure
• Materials List

10. 5. Data/ Analysis
Record observations and analyze the
meaning of the data. Often, you'll prepare a
table or graph of the data.
Don't throw out data points you think are
bad or that don't support your predictions.
Once you have the data, you may need to
perform a mathematical analysis to support
or refute your hypothesis.

11. 6. Results
Communicate your results. The results may be
compiled into a lab report or formally submitted as
a paper. Whether you accept or reject the
hypothesis, you likely learned something about the
subject and may wish to revise the original
hypothesis or form a new one for a future
experiment.
• Final Report
• Abstract
• Display Board

12. Sources:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/steps-of-the-scientific-
method
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https://www.thoughtco.com/steps-of-the-scientific-method-p2-606045