Final answer:
The scientific method is a structured process involving observing, forming a question, researching, hypothesizing, experimenting, analyzing data, concluding, and verifying the results to ensure reliable findings in research.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steps of the Scientific Method
The scientific method includes several steps that are typically completed in a certain order when conducting research. These steps are:
- Make observations: Look at the world and notice things that are interesting or call for further investigation.
- Identify a question: Based on the observation, ask a question that seeks to explain what has been noticed.
- Research existing sources: Find out what is already known about the topic through literature review or existing knowledge.
- Formulate a hypothesis: Come up with a testable prediction that addresses the question based on the research.
- Design and perform experiments: Conduct experiments to test the hypothesis under controlled conditions where one variable is changed to see its effect.
- Analyze data: Look at the data collected from the experiments and interpret what it means for the hypothesis.
- Draw conclusions: Decide if the data supports the hypothesis or if a new hypothesis should be formulated.
- Verify results: Repeat the experiment or have others do so to ensure the findings are consistent and reliable.
This methodical process allows scientists to make accurate and reliable discoveries about how the world works.