scientific method
Research method using experiments and physical evidence to answer questions about the natural world.
See also Big6, I-search, research cycle.
Additional information
The primary steps in the scientific method are:
- observation
- development of hypothesis
- development of predictions based on hypothesis
- testing hypothesis through experiments
- interpretation of results and development of conclusions based on experiments
The reliability of the scientific method is based on the ability of subsequent scientists to repeat the experiments and arrive at the same conclusions.
Examples and resources
See the Discovery Channel’s website on the scientific method for more information.
