The Scientific Method

According to the International Science and Engineering Fair, the scientific method includes some key questions and directions that can help you design and implement your project:

Problem/Purpose

• What is your project goal?
• What idea are you trying to test? It can be an idea that arouses your curiosity or piques your interest to seek new information.
• What is the scientific question you are trying to answer?

Hypothesis

• Explain how you think your project can demonstrate your purpose.
• Make a prediction regarding the outcome of your experiment.
• State the results you are predicting in measurable terms.

Procedure

• Give a detailed explanation of how you will conduct the experiment to test your hypothesis.
• Be clear about the variables (elements of the experiment that change to test your hypothesis) versus your controls (elements of the experiment that do not change).
• Be very specific about how you will measure results to prove or disprove your hypothesis. You should include a regular timetable for measuring results or observing the projects (for example, every hour, every day, every week).
• Your procedure should be like a recipe – another person should be able to perform your experiment following your procedure. Test this with a friend or parent to be sure you have not forgotten anything.

Materials

• List all materials and equipment that were used.
• Your list of materials should include all of the "ingredients" of the procedure "recipe".

Observations/Data/Results

• Keep a detailed journal of observations, data, and results. Your journal should contain data measurements and written notes about what you are sensing (hearing, seeing, or touching) about your experiment.
• If appropriate, photograph your project results or phases of the project to help your analysis and possibly to demonstrate your experiment on your exhibit board.

Analysis

• Explain your observations, data, and results. This is a summary of what your data has shown you.
• List the main points that you have learned.
• Why did the results occur? What did your experiment prove?
• Was your hypothesis correct? Did your experiment prove or disprove your hypothesis? This should be explained thoroughly.

Conclusion

• Answer your problem/purpose statement.
• What does it all add up to? What is the value of your project?
• What further study do you recommend given the results of your experiment? What would be the next question to ask?
• If you repeated this project, what would you change?

Source: www.sciserv.org/isef/primer/scientific_method.asp