| STUDENT RESEARCH The Scientific Method
Asking Scientific Questions
Suggested Research Questions
Design Your Research Project
Critique a Research Paper
Looking at Data
Write a Scientific Paper
Classroom Birdscope
Research Papers
Guiding Student
Research |
 The Scientific Method
We want your students to understand that science is not some magical process, but actually
an everyday one in which systematic steps are taken to answer questions.
The following steps describe the basic
method by which all scientists try to find answers to their own questions:
- They observe natural
process until they think they see a pattern in the events they are
observing.
- They define questions
to investigate based on their observations. These questions often arise from findings of
earlier research or even research done by other scientists (and citizen scientists).
- They develop hypotheses
(testable guesses) to try to answer their questions.
- They systematically collect
and then analyze information (data) to test the
hypotheses.
- They look at the results,
then come to conclusions about whether their hypotheses are correct
(supported or not supported). Often, they ask even more questions based
on what they have observed.
Below is a concept map of the
scientific process. Please note that it is a dynamic
process, involving discovery and learning as you go.
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