Scientific Method
Posted: December 26th, 2010, 8:08 pm1. State the problem and collect data (make observations). Observations may be qualitative (the sky is blue; water is a liquid) or quantitative (water boils at 100 °C; a certain chemistry book weighs 4.5 pounds). A qualitative observation does not involve a number. A quantitative observation is called a measurement and does involve a number (and a unit,such as pounds or inches).
2. Formulate hypotheses. A hypothesis is a possible explanation for the observation.
3. Perform experiments. An experiment is something we do to test the hypothesis. We gather new information that allows us to decide whether the hypothesis is supported by the new information we have learned from the experiment. Experiments always produce new observations, and this brings us back to the beginning of the process again;
2. Formulate hypotheses. A hypothesis is a possible explanation for the observation.
3. Perform experiments. An experiment is something we do to test the hypothesis. We gather new information that allows us to decide whether the hypothesis is supported by the new information we have learned from the experiment. Experiments always produce new observations, and this brings us back to the beginning of the process again;