The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a detailed, stepwise process for answering questions.

It begins with observations. For example, a scientist observes that slugs destroy some cabbages, but not those growing near garlic.

These observations raise a question: could garlic be used to keep slugs from damaging a cabbage patch?

To answer this question, the scientist develops a hypothesis, which is a possible explanation for the observation that leads to a testable prediction.

In this case, the hypothesis is that garlic repels slugs. This predicts that cabbages surrounded by garlic powder will suffer less damage than those without it.

The scientist tests this hypothesis by running an experiment designed to rule out other explanations.

The scientist defines variables. An independent variable is the factor being tested, in this case, the addition of garlic. The dependent variable is the measurement used to track the outcome, such as the number of slugs on the cabbages.

The cabbage plants are divided into control and experimental groups. The control group grows without garlic, while the experimental group grows with garlic powder.

After the experiment, the data are collected and analyzed. If the control group shows a higher number of slugs on the cabbages than the experimental group, the result supports the hypothesis. A similar number of slugs in both groups indicates the hypothesis is not supported.

The findings are then shared through publication so other scientists can review and repeat the experiment. Consistent results validate the work and form scientific theories.