Page 12 - CAS- Undergraduate-Research-Manual

12

The Scientific Method

Also called the Method of Science, the Scientific Method is an ongoing and iterative process used by
scientists to investigate phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or modifying existing ones. Basically,
researchers use various techniques to make systematic observation, collect and measure evidence,
analyze, interpret and make conclusions. This methodical process is used to eliminate the possibility that
an event occurred by chance alone.

Source - http://idea.ucr.edu/documents/flash/scientific_method/story.htm

There are several basic steps that are followed by scientific researchers (empirical researchers) in their
work:

- Make observations about the natural world or phenomenon
- Ask questions (define the problem)
- Make some conjecture or formulate ideas (hypothesis) to explain the phenomenon
- Testable predictions are further evaluated through planned experiments to collect data
- Analyze data to test hypothesis
- Depending on whether or not the tests and predictions match, the hypothesis may be accepted,
rejected or modified.