Scientific Method

The scientific method is a technique that can be used to understand and explain naturally occurring phenomena. The scientific method is not a rigorous procedure that must be followed in a strict manner. Instead, it is a general approach to solving scientific problems. In its most general form, the scientific method consists of the following steps.

  1. Question - One of the goals of scientific work is to understand natural phenomena. The first step is to determine what we are trying to find out. (Why is the sky blue? Why does salt dissolve in water but sand doesn't? ...)
  2. Hypothesis - A tentative explanation that might explain the observation. At early stages, this may amount to little more than a "wild guess". Modifications/revisions will occur during subsequent cycles.
  3. Experiment - An experiment is designed to test one or more aspects of the hypothesis.
  4. Observation - Examination of the experimental results. These observations can be either qualitative (do not require measurement) or quantitative (do require measurement). Ideally, these observations will either lend support to the hypothesis or disprove the hypothesis.
  5. Repeat - the Hypothesis -> Experiment -> Observation sequence is repeated. The hypothesis will typically undergo significant modifications during this cycle, which will lead to new experiments.

After the above sequence has been repeated "enough", the hypothesis becomes a theory. Note that a theory may or may not be "right". However,it should be consistent with all known observations. Theories are often refined (changed) when significantly new experiments are performed. Eventually, the theory may become so widely accepted that it becomes a Law. However, even "laws" may not be correct. For example, Newton's Laws of motion require modification at high enough velocities due to relativistic effects.