Scientific Method
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Emerson NunezScientific Method
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Emerson NunezIntroduction 3. Propose a hypothesis.
A biology investigation usually starts with an observation—that A hypothesis is a potential answer to the question, one that can
is, something that catches the biologist’s attention. For instance, a somehow be tested. For example, our hypothesis in this case
cancer biologist might notice that a certain kind of cancer can't be could be that the toast didn't toast because the electrical outlet is
treated with chemotherapy and wonder why this is the case. A broken.
marine ecologist, seeing that the coral reefs of her field sites are
bleaching—turning white—might set out to understand why.
How do biologists follow up on these observations? How
can you follow up on your own observations of the natural
world? In this article, we’ll walk through the scientific method, a
logical problem-solving approach used by biologists and many
other scientists.
The scientific method
At the core of biology and other sciences lies a problem-solving
approach called the scientific method. The scientific method has 4. Make predictions.
five basic steps, plus one feedback step: A prediction is an outcome we'd expect to see if the hypothesis is
1. Make an observation. correct. In this case, we might predict that if the electrical outlet
2. Ask a question. is broken, then plugging the toaster into a different outlet should
3. Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation. fix the problem.
4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
5. Test the prediction.
6. Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or
predictions.
The scientific method is used in all sciences—including
chemistry, physics, geology, and psychology. The scientists in
these fields ask different questions and perform different tests.
However, they use the same core approach to find answers that
are logical and supported by evidence.
5. Test the predictions.
Scientific method example: Failure to toast
To test the hypothesis, we need to make an observation or
Let's build some intuition for the scientific method by applying
perform an experiment associated with the prediction. For
its steps to a practical problem from everyday life.
instance, in this case, we would plug the toaster into a different
outlet and see if it toasts.
1. Make an observation.
Let's suppose that you get two slices of bread, put them into the
toaster, and press the button. However, your bread does not toast.
6. Iterate.
The last step of the scientific method is to reflect on our results
and use them to guide our next steps.
2. Ask a question.
Why didn't my bread get toasted?
