...The Scientific Method Ashley Burrell SCI/230 07/28/2013 Dawn Gleason The Scientific Method This paper seeks to explain what the scientific method is and exactly how it is used or can be used on an everyday basis. The scientific method is a method often used to help a person or a group logically or rationally draw a conclusions about an in particular subject or topic. The scientific method is not just used by scientists, but is also used by many others such as historians, criminal investigators, doctors, engineers, and anyone else who is trying to intelligently solve some sort of problem. One thing to understand about the scientific method is that it can’t be used to answer every question or solve every problem a person may be having, but it can be used as a way to solve many problems such as how to get a car started or how to stop the roof from leaking when it rains. The objective of this paper is to define what the scientific method is and to explain what steps are used to problem solving. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language the scientific method is defined as “The principles and empirical processes of discovery and demonstration considered characteristic of or necessary for scientific investigation, generally involving the observation of phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the truth or falseness of the hypothesis, and a conclusion that validates or modifies the hypothesis...
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...The Scientific Method Justin Lancaster SC300-24 The Scientific Method Throughout our lives, we face numerous challenges, obstacles and difficult decisions that require the use of higher-level thinking. When we process the different possibilities and scenarios in our mind, subconsciously we are using the scientific method to problem solve. This basic concept is developed from an early stage in our lives and while it is practiced often in the widespread experiments of science, it is a valuable tool that can be used to assist in even the smallest tasks we encounter on a daily basis. Applying the scientific method is as simple as first analyzing a real life problem that can occur on any given day. A good example of this would be coming home after a day of work only to find that the porch light is out when you knew you turned it on before you left to work. While most may err on the side of caution, their own scientific method starts to formulate in their head to try to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The problem at hand, and the question that should be asked, would be figuring out how the porch light went off. This first step of the scientific method helps narrow down the goal to a single statement and helps put things into perspective. Without problems and questions, we would have no need for a scientific method! After determining the problem of the porch light, research on everything involving it would need to be done, which would most likely take place in a few...
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...The scientific method originating from ancient Greek times in a primitive manner from today is applied in psychology in ways such as deduction and induction. It is aimed at setting rules allowing researchers to avoid mistakes and incorrect collection of data which an observation may produce when trying to develop a theory. The scientific method in psychology is based upon the idea that by gathering empirical evidence we can test if an idea about the world is true for example, we know that the sun rises and sets because of the rotation of the earth upon its axes. The method originated from the ancient Greek period, in the form of Empiricism. Empiricists believed that observation and experience was the best way to treat people. This basis has resulted in deduction through which inferences can be drawn where the conclusion must be true if the hypothesis is true. For example, if the statement is that all swans are white and one is seen to be white we may reach that conclusion. The use of induction, where general truth is based upon some observations, is more truthful. However, in acknowledgement of Hume’s belief that there will be exceptions not yet encountered, this cannot be universally. An example is after all swans were concluded to be white, a Dutch explorer found...
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...The Scientific Method Paper The Scientific Method is a process that I have always struggled with. It is a process that assists you in organizing your information. It also is useful in the fact that you are able to keep all of your steps in order. The steps that are in the Scientific Method are Observation and Questioning, Hypothesis, Testing, Results, Explanation, and New Question. The Observation and Questioning step is very important. In this step we look at what we want to do an experiment on. In the Hypothesis step, you guesstimate what the outcome of the experiment will be. I feel that the Testing step is self-explanatory. In this step you perform your experiment and test the hypothesis you came up with in the previous step. After you perform your experiment, you have the Results step. This is where you have your outcome. If your outcome supports your hypothesis, then you are able to go onto the next step of the process. But there are times that your outcome will be different than your hypothesis, if this is the case you go back to the beginning of the process. If this happens, you have to do all of the steps all over again. Next we have the Explanation step. You need to figure out an explanation that addresses the question that you are experimenting. The final step is the New Question step. Here you come up with the conclusion to your experiment. Quite often your conclusion could lead to a whole new set of questions, in which would lead to new experiments...
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...The Scientific Method Holly Regan HSM/270 May 25, 2014 Santosha Oliver The Scientific Method An experiment was done on the production of more tomato plants using the steps in the scientific method as follows: 1)Observation: That over the past couple years there had been a decline in tomato production compared to the initial first two years due to cooler temperatures and drier season. 2) Question: Why is there such an increased decline of tomato plants production the last two years compared to the first two years? 3) Hypothesis: 1) the plants need more warmth 2) plants need more water 3) plants need more nutrients and I chose hypothesis number three and proceeded with the experiment. 4) Prediction: The tomato plants will bear more tomatoes if the old soil is removed and replaced with new soil before planting, (in turn providing the plants with needed nutrients previously lacking). 5) Conclusion: The plants grew more tomatoes when the old soil was removed and replaced with new soil before planting and therefore my hypothesis was supported. 6) Results: The tomato plants now produce more tomatoes than the last two years. A real life problem where I had applied the scientific method and the steps used in solving the problem: 1) Observation: While doing a few loads of laundry I transferred a load of clothes from the washer to the dryer and noticed the dryer would not start. It worked just fine three days prior while doing the same activity. 2) Question: Why...
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...I used the scientific method to determine how to solve a car problem. I picked the car instead of the tomatoes because I am more familiar with cars and I do not like tomatoes. I was able to experiment before I was able to find out the correct problem. I am generally good with cars and know to check the basics problems that can occur with a car. In this activity the first thing that I thought about was the condition of the battery of the car. I was able to choose that and found out that the battery was not the issue. At that point I came to the conclusion that it could be an electrical issue. I usually start with the easiest fix first and then go on to the more complicated things that could be wrong. Then I decided to change the spark plugs to see if this could be the problem. Which I found out was not the problem with the car. After checking the spark plugs I decided to check the fuses and determined that was not the problem with the car as well. At this point I decided to sit back and use the scientific method by going though and experimenting with all of the concept and ending in a conclusion. I knew the first thing that I needed to do was to think about the problem that the car was having. I then worked my way through all of the options to come up with why the car was not starting in the first place. Eventually I was able to determine exactly was making the car not start and then I was able to take the results to come up with a solution to have the car fixed...
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...The scientific method is used to logically solve problems in many areas of life. The process involves making an observation, questioning that observation, deriving a hypothesis, producing a prediction, testing and collecting data and drawing a final conclusion. To follow the steps of the scientific method within an experiment one must first start with an observation. If a plant is placed near a window, it tends to lean towards the glass. A question that one might draw from this incident could be why does the plant grow towards the window? The hypothesis is reasoning behind this growth pattern such as the plant may respond to the light which they need to make their food. At this point a prediction can be assessed. If it is true the plants respond to the light, growing three plants under the light and three plants in the dark is sufficient for collecting data about soil nutrients, leaf color, number of leaves and blossoms, length of stem, and which direction the plant is leaning or growing. After conducting the data, the soil nutrients did not change significantly in any pots. Surprisingly the plants in the dark grew much more than the plants in the light, while the plants in the light produced a flower unlike the plants in the dark. The plants in the light grew straight up tall, and the plants in the dark trailed over the side of their pots. This experiment produced many relations between the plants and the light they need to grow however it does not fully explain which...
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...Scientific Method The Scientific Method is a system devised to allow scientists to gain insight, or knowledge, on a wide range of questions about one’s behavior and other points of interest. The first step in this process is to identify a question that deserves an explanation or answer to. For example, a good indentifying question that one could use would be why did the chicken cross the road? This is a specific behavior that can be addressed and quantified. Once the individual has the question at hand, the formation of a theory is next. A theory is the best guess that one has as to why the action took place. In the example of the chicken crossing the road, a theory would be because there was food over there. Another theory would be just to get to the other side in general. Once you have the theory down, you need to create a hypothesis to test it. A hypothesis is a best guess stated in a way that you can measure the results of the claim. Referring back to the example of the chicken crossing the road, a hypothesis would be because it was hungry. A hypothesis must be restated as an Operational Definition (testable procedures that can be quantified) before testing can take place. The example of this would be: If food were visible on the other side, the chicken will cross the road to eat it. Now one must figure out which method of research will best help them out in their quest for the answer. There are several ways one can go about doing this. Archival research, naturalistic observation...
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...Asif Chowdhury SC300: Big Ideas in Science Professor: Judy Ikawa Unit 9 11/22/2011 Many of us use the scientific method unconsciously on a daily basis, for work, tasks such as cooking and budgeting. The same elements present in traditional scientific inquiry are present in these everyday examples. Understanding how to apply the scientific method to these seemingly non-scientific problems can be valuable in furthering one's career and in making health-related decision. The scientific method is a process to ask question and answer scientific problem solving by making observation and doing experiments. We can follow the below steps to solve our problem scientifically: Observation This is the first part of scientific method is discovered upon direct observation of what is around us. As a scientist we have to look critically and attempt to avoid all kind if sources and bias in this observation. Ask question The second step in the scientific method is formulated by questions. Ask as many questions as we need to answer. Science can answer many questions, but there are some which cannot be answered by science. Hypothesis The next part of our scientific method is to form a hypothesis. This is simply an educated guess as to the answer for the question. Prediction The prediction is an official way to put a hypothesis to a test. If the test works most likely we are on a right track to solve our problem. If we have carefully designed our hypothesis to be sure it...
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...The Scientific Method: To help you understand the HOMER SIMPSON WORKSHEET, remember the following things: 1) Hypothesis: Your “IF-Then” statement. 2) Independent Variable: This is the variable that the scientist controls or changes – WHAT THE SCIENTIST DOES. Ask yourself, “What are you (the scientist) doing or changing in this experiment?” 3) Dependent Variable: This is the variable that is RESPONDING to what the scientist did (the independent variable). Ask yourself, “What are you trying to record or measure?” This is the “THEN” in the if-then statement 4) Control Group – This is the group that we use to compare our experimental group with. It is the group we DO NOTHING TO. We might use a placebo (fake drug, substance, or material) as the control group. 5) Experimental Group – This is the group that we do the experiment on. EXAMPLE: Spongebob Squarepants decided that he wanted to make Bikini-Bottom beautiful with new plants. He felt that if he gave these plants fertilizer, they would grow nice and tall. For Group A, Spongebob gave the plants Supergro Fertilizer. However, He did not give Group B any fertilizer. At the end of the month, Spongebob noticed that the plants given Supergro Fertilizer grew an extra 20 cm. Hypothesis: “If I give plants fertilizer, then they will increase in growth.” Independent Variable: Amount of fertilizer Dependent Variable: plant growth Control Group: Group with NO Fertilizer (Group B) Experimental Group:...
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...[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines] Richards, Paul Strayer University [Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines] Scientists use a scientific method to investigate phenomena and acquire knowledge. They base the method on verifiable observation for an example, on replicable empirical evidence rather than on pure logic or supposition and on the principles of reasoning. (Newton) When I was in school many years ago, we were taught that scientists go through a series of steps to find a solution to a problem or find evidence to support or disprove a theory. It all seemed rather cold, and formal. Going back to school, school has taught me that science has undergone significant changes and has moved away from the rigidity of a fixed series of steps in what was formerly called the scientific method. I think the best way to describe what helps me understand scientific method, is trying to shed some light on the uncertainties through step by step procedures, collecting and analyzing data. Both start with observations of the world around us. During those observations and some inconsistency, confusion, a question may arise. This will probably lead to more observing, reading or talking to others, or perhaps consulting an expert. We then might clarify the problem and intuit a hypothesis, than decide to gather some more data to shed some light on that hypothesis. Will this new data lead to more questions or more information gathering? So after we organize and analyze...
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...psychologist work in universities or think tanks. The university academic researcher will teach at the university but will also focus on developing their research. A psychiatrist is the doctor, as in MD, branch of psychology. This branch prescribes medicines to their patients, rather than resolve their problems through counseling methods Prompt E: Psychologists use the scientific method to conduct their research. The scientific method is a standardized way of making observations, gathering data, forming theories, testing predictions, and interpreting results. The general process of the scientific method goes as followed: Creating a hypothesis, executing an experiment, evaluating data, refining a theory, and developing a theory. The observations the researcher has made using the scientific method of thing is used in order to describe and measure behavior. After observing certain events repeatedly, researchers come up with a theory that explains these observations. Researchers generally develop a theory only after they have collected a lot of evidence and made sure their research results can be reproduced by others. The process of the scientific method of thinking is the first step in allowing researchers to draw conclusions from their observations and...
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...The Scientific Method Holly Regan HSM/270 May 25, 2014 Santosha Oliver The Scientific Method An experiment was done on the production of more tomato plants using the steps in the scientific method as follows: 1)Observation: That over the past couple years there had been a decline in tomato production compared to the initial first two years due to cooler temperatures and drier season. 2) Question: Why is there such an increased decline of tomato plants production the last two years compared to the first two years? 3) Hypothesis: 1) the plants need more warmth 2) plants need more water 3) plants need more nutrients and I chose hypothesis number three and proceeded with the experiment. 4) Prediction: The tomato plants will bear more tomatoes if the old soil is removed and replaced with new soil before planting, (in turn providing the plants with needed nutrients previously lacking). 5) Conclusion: The plants grew more tomatoes when the old soil was removed and replaced with new soil before planting and therefore my hypothesis was supported. 6) Results: The tomato plants now produce more tomatoes than the last two years. A real life problem where I had applied the scientific method and the steps used in solving the problem: 1) Observation: While doing a few loads of laundry I transferred a load of clothes from the washer to the dryer and noticed the dryer would not start. It worked just fine three days prior while doing the same activity. 2) Question: Why...
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...Scientific Method Activity Erin Whjpple SCI 230 Mitzie Sowell In the first scientific method activity I chose the experiment with tomato plant growth in a garden. In this experiment I observed that the tomatoes in the small garden haven’t been growing as full producing fewer tomatoes each summer. The last four years the tomatoes have been grown in the same garden in the same soil as the summers past without replenishing the soil. This caused me to question whether or not the plants need more warmth, more water, or more nutrients. When considering all these factors I came to the hypothesis that the plants need more nutrients. Taking this into consideration I predicted that the old soil needed to be replaced with new fresh soil before planting the tomato plants this time around this making it so that the tomato plants will bear more tomatoes than in the summers past. In conclusion the plants grew more tomatoes once the old soil was replaced with new soil. As you can see in the graph below after doing this experiment my hypothesis was supported and my predictions were correct that with new fresh soil the plants would grow a lot more tomatoes. For my second experiment using scientific method with an everyday life situation I observed that everyday the TV in my kids’ room turns off on its own. I started to question if my kids were turning the TV off without me knowing or if the TV was starting to go bad or lastly if there was a problem with the outlet I have it plugged...
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...The Scientific Method Observation: I have noticed that when a plant develops, it will develop in the direction of an origin of light rather than developing straight or far from the light origin. Question: Is it the light which causes the plant to develop at an angle rather than straight up? Is it only a fluke produced by that plant? Is it the breeze or might be heat which causes this? Theory: A plant will develop in the direction of a light origin as it aims to create photosynthesis. Prediction: In case different kinds of plants are developed where no breeze or heat can impact them when coming in contact with a light origin and they don't develop straight however in the direction of source of light, in that case breeze as well as heat do not have anything about it and it's the light origin inducing the plants to develop at an angle. Checking: Plants were developed within four sided, glass pots where the tops were opened up to avoid any breeze or heat from impacting the test. Different kinds of plants were chosen to eliminate that it's just a particular plant type. All parameters were maintained identical. The management group: This team of plants was put on turning bottoms having fixed light sources. The trial and error group: This team of plants was kept fixed and not put on turning bottoms and they had fixed light sources. Duplication: Three distinct plant sorts were chosen with identical three kinds used in each team. Details: ...
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