The!Mad!Scientist!
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The Research Process

The "scientific method" is a way of exploring phenomena using a structured system of investigation.  Bear in mind that there is no one correct method in science investigations; scientific research is done using a variety of techniques. The techniques include, but are not limited to, the following basic steps:

1.  Make observations and ask a question
2.  Do some background research; see what others have said
3.  Construct a hypothesis. To be valid, a hypothesis must be testable by experimentation.
4.  Test the hypothesis with an experiment 
         Within the experiment, identify all variables and controls and do multiple trials
5.  Analyze data
6.  Draw a conclusion and evaluate the process
7.  Communicate your results

Explanations can be arrived at in many ways, but should always involve:

(a) Careful and thorough observations.
(b) Interpreting what is observed.
(c) Explaining what is observed.
(d) Testing to see if explanations are correct.

It is important to make sure you are able to replicate your experiment, which is why you must document your research in the form of a lab report.  Experiments have to be done hundreds (even thousands) of times in order to postulate a theory about the initial observations.  One trial does not equal a solid conclusion.  In class, you will be expected to run multiple trials on certain experiments.

Documenting your steps and keeping track of everything that happens (even accidents; for they may have an impact on the results) is a way to ensure that standards are adhered to.

Review

Scientific Method Flowchart 
Notes 
Inferences & Observations 
Writing Hypotheses
Variables
Sample Experiment I 
Sample Experiment II 


 
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