THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The Scientific Method is a process of investigation that is used to
explore an observation and answer a question.
It is a systematic process which tries to unlock the mysteries of the
natural world. It uses repeated observations and experimental evidences to
search for cause and effect relationship in nature.
Steps in the Scientific
Method
1.
Observation
Almost all scientific
inquiries start with observation.
Observation is the act of perceiving the things that are happening in
the environment through our senses. People tend to have a life that is normal
and routinely. However, if something does not conform to the expected way of
life then probably a problem is occurring.
Ex: You observed that farmers put fertilizers to plants.
2. Identifying the Problem
The problem is the
question which you will try to resolve. The following conditions must be met to
properly identify the problem:
a. Recognize that there is a
problem. Remember to answer just one question at a time.
b. Clearly state the problem
so you will know what you are trying to solve but make sure that results are
measurable or at least ca n be rated qualitatively.
c. Put the problem in the
form of a question.
Ex: How does fertilizer affect the growth of plants?
3. Formulating Hypothesis
Once the problem is
identified and testable question has been proposed, you can now formulate a
hypothesis. Hypothesis is a simple statement
that presents the possible solution to the problem. It is an educated guess
which aims to solve the problem. This makes the hypothesis the turning point of
the research. To properly word the hypotheses:
a. Do a background research
to come up with the best probable solution to the problem.
b. State the hypothesis in a
way to help you answer the original problem.
c. Identify the variables and
make sure that only one variable is manipulated at a time.
Hypothesis may be stated
in two ways:
1. Null hypothesis (Ho)
states that there is no relationship between variables.
Ex: The fertilizer does
not affect the growth of plants. (Ho: A = B)
2. Alternative Hypothesis
(Ha) states that there is a relationship between variables.
Ex: There is a significant
relationship between the use of fertilizer and the growth of plants. (Ha1:
A ≠ B)
Alternative Hypothesis can also be stated in two ways:
Ha2: A < B There
is a negative relationship between A and B.
The lesser the fertilizer, the more the
plant grows.
Ha2: A > B There is a positive relationship between
A and B.
The more fertilizer is applied, the more
the plant grows.
4. Testing the Hypothesis and Gathering of Data
Experiment is a set of
manipulations or specific observations of nature and is considered the most important
part of scientific method. It is done to answer the research question or
investigate a problem. It is used to prove or disprove the hypothesis.
There are three types of
experiment. These are as follows:
1.
Natural Experiment or
Quasi-Experiments
These are experiments that rely solely on observations of the
variables of the system under study. The observer does not manipulate any
variable but simply collect all the possible data to determine the factors
affecting a particular phenomenon. A
field of science that employs the natural experiment is astronomy.
2.
Field Experiment
It examines the real world using scientific method and often
used in social sciences such as political sciences, economics and psychology.
3.
Controlled Experiment
It compares the results obtained from an experimental sample
against the control sample. The observer tests a hypothesis by looking for
changes brought about by alteration of variable. This type of experiment is
usually done in laboratories.
Variable – a characteristic, number
or quantity that increases or decreases over time or takes different values in
different situation. There are three kinds of variables in an experiment.
a.
Controlled Variables - these are the variables that are kept
constant.
Ex: Amount of water, sunlight received by the plants, temperature, amount
and type of soil, the size of the pot and the number and type of plant.
b.
Independent Variables – these are factors that is
being changed or altered during the experiment. These variables cause corresponding
effect on other variables.
Ex: The amount or presence
of nitrogen fertilizer.
c.
Dependent Variables – observable factors that
are considered response to an independent variables.
Ex: The growth of plants in terms of
height, number of leaves and other characteristics.
5. Analyzing Data
Data obtained from experiments
should be analyzed and presented systematically. Data are usually presented
trough graph, table, charts and the like. The data gathered trough the
experiment conducted can be presented this way.
|
SET
UP
|
Height
of Plants (cm)
|
|
0
Days
|
5
Days
|
10
Days
|
15
Days
|
|
A
(with
fertilizer)
|
0
|
3
|
5
|
11
|
|
B
(without
Fertilizer)
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
7
|
Through the given table, we can now
make an analysis.
Ex: From the given data, the plant treated with
fertilizer grows faster compared to the plant treated with no fertilizer.
6. Drawing Conclusion
Looking at the analysis of
your data, see if the information you gathered answers your problem. Based on
your findings, you can now make a conclusion. Please note that your conclusion
answers the problems.
Example:
Problem: How does fertilizer affect the growth of plants?
Conclusion: I therefore conclude that
fertilizers help in the growth and development of plants.
NOTE: If the hypothesis is
proven to be true, perform again the experiment for several times to be sure
that results gathered are true, factual and accurate. If the hypothesis is not
true or partly true, modify the hypothesis and perform the method all over
again.
7.
Report Results
It will be good to have
someone else look at your findings to help you find any mistakes or unusual
results. This will help you improve your procedure the next time you conduct an
experiment.
