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Line 9: − Although by no means conclusive, the following steps are used by a majority of scientists in their work:+ + + + + − + − + − + − +
There are several formulations of this "method", because not everyone practices science the same way
==Steps of the Scientific Method==
==Steps of the Scientific Method==
A physicist asserts that the scientific method has four steps:
#Observation of phenomena
#Formulation of an hypothesis
#Predictions, using this hypothesis
#Testing
====1. Observation====
===Observation===
The scientist observes something interesting, and he wants to know how it happened. He lays down the basic questions as to what is responsible for the phenomena he observed, and from there begins to form his hypothesis.
The scientist observes something interesting, and he wants to know how it happened. He lays down the basic questions as to what is responsible for the phenomena he observed, and from there begins to form his hypothesis.
In asking these questions scientists also look for research that has already been done on their topic to determine if they are duplicating a past experiment, doing something new, or building on a previous experiment. Such research, although tedious and time-consuming, simply builds on the knowledge yet to be gained by the scientist’s questions.
In asking these questions scientists also look for research that has already been done on their topic to determine if they are duplicating a past experiment, doing something new, or building on a previous experiment. Such research, although tedious and time-consuming, simply builds on the knowledge yet to be gained by the scientist’s questions.
====2. Hypothesis====
===Hypothesis===
A hypothesis is a statement of what the researcher thinks will happen in the experiment. This is usually an educated guess using current theory and has to be testable and observable.
A hypothesis is a statement of what the researcher thinks will happen in the experiment. This is usually an educated guess using current theory and has to be testable and observable.
====3. Experiment====
===Prediction===
When designing the experiment, the researcher carefully controls as many [[variable]]s as possible. In most experiments there is a control group and a treatment group. The two groups are as similar as possible, but the treatment group is the one that experiences the variable the researcher is studying.
When designing the experiment, the researcher carefully controls as many [[variable]]s as possible. In most experiments there is a control group and a treatment group. The two groups are as similar as possible, but the treatment group is the one that experiences the variable the researcher is studying.
====4. Conclusion====
===Testing===
[[Image:Muybridge horse .jpg|right|200px|thumb]]
[[Image:Muybridge horse .jpg|right|200px|thumb]]
[[Image:Muybridge horse animated.gif|right|200px|thumb|Photographic study of a horse galloping (top) and its animated sequence, by Eadweard Muybridge, 1887.]]
[[Image:Muybridge horse animated.gif|right|200px|thumb|Photographic study of a horse galloping (top) and its animated sequence, by Eadweard Muybridge, 1887.]]