The scientific method is a systematic, empirical process used in science to acquire knowledge and answer questions about the natural world. It involves making observations, forming a testable hypothesis, making predictions, conducting experiments or empirical tests, analyzing the results, and then refining or discarding the hypothesis based on evidence
. Key features of the scientific method include:
- Observation and Question: Noticing a phenomenon or posing a question to investigate
- Background Research: Gathering existing information relevant to the question
- Hypothesis Formation: Proposing a falsifiable explanation or prediction that can be tested
- Experimentation: Designing and performing controlled tests to gather empirical data
- Analysis: Evaluating the data to see if it supports or contradicts the hypothesis
- Conclusion: Drawing conclusions and possibly revising the hypothesis for further testing
This method is not a rigid sequence but a flexible framework of principles that guide scientific inquiry across disciplines. It emphasizes skepticism, reproducibility, and empirical evidence, allowing science to build reliable knowledge over time
. In summary, the scientific method is the foundational process by which scientists objectively investigate questions, test ideas, and develop scientific theories based on evidence
