Answer:
Below
Step-by-step explanation:
since I’m in biology, here are he exact steps from my textbook:
The Scientific Method:
A scientific method is a series of steps for investigating questions and testing ideas. There are several versions of the scientific method, but all versions are based on rational thinking, inquiry, and experimentation. The scientific method includes five main steps. Review the steps of the overall system before diving into each one.
1. Ask a Question:
The purpose of a scientific investigation is what you are trying to find out or the question you are trying to answer. An empirical observation (e.g., the sky is blue) will prompt an appropriate question (e.g., why is the sky blue?).
2. Do Background Research:
You have learned that science is a body of knowledge. It is important that you research what other scientists have already observed and discovered. Previous investigations into your topic may lead you to new questions that need answers. If the farmer wishes to know why his plants are dying, he would research reasons why that type of plant might not grow. The farmer might conduct this research at the library or a local garden center or on the Internet.
3. Form a Hypothesis:
A hypothesis is an explanation for a specific observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that is based on scientific knowledge and can be tested by further investigation. After researching what other scientists already know, the farmer will need to form a hypothesis about what he thinks will happen. Forming a hypothesis involves an understanding of current scientific knowledge and creativity to look at the problem or question in a way that will lead to the predicted outcome. For instance, the farmer notices that the dying plants seem to be yellow and brown, so he could conclude that there are not enough nutrients in the soil. He would form the hypothesis, ”The lack of nutrients in the soil is causing the plants to die.”
4. Test with an Experiment:
An experiment allows you to test your hypothesis to determine if it is a correct or incorrect prediction of the outcome. There are many ways to test a hypothesis, but every experiment should have at least one variable that changes while the others stay the same or are controlled. This allows the experimenter to determine if a selected change will affect a specific factor in the way their hypothesis predicts. The farmer would then design and carry out a test to try to get an answer to the original question and observation. The farmer would record the data on a data sheet. He would also want to write down the steps he used to carry out his experiment in case it needs to be repeated. This is called the procedure. The farmer would make sure his procedure and data are accurately reported, so that he could share the information with others or repeat the procedure at a later time.
5. Analyze Data:
The analysis of data from an experiment compares known and unknown values in the data. The experiments are always repeated several times to make sure the results are valid. When an experiment is valid, it means that the results are consistent over time and reproducible by you or by another scientist, following the same procedure. Based on the results of the farmer’s experiment, he would analyze the data by creating charts or graphs of the growth of the plants over time.
6. Draw Conclusions:
Based on the analysis of the collected data, a scientist will refer back to the hypothesis and ask: Was the hypothesis correct or incorrect? Sometimes this is very simple and the conclusion is obvious. On occasion, finding that the hypothesis is incorrect will lead to new discoveries. Sometimes, the results are inconclusive, and the scientist must design a new experiment or complete further research. If the farmer finds that the data supports the original hypothesis, he may conclude that the lack of soil nutrients caused the plants to poorly grow (i.e., analysis shows that changing the amount of nutrient causes the plants to grow faster). On the other hand, the data might not support the original hypothesis (i.e., analysis shows that changing the amount of nutrient does not keep the plants from dying). In this case, he would try to change a different variable in the experiment, such as the amount of water, in order to retest his hypothesis.