SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Scientific Method is an epistemological foundation. It is the procedure to find out knowledge that has
systematic steps. It determines whether knowledge becomes science or not, so it has a very important
function in building science.

KNOWLEDGE AND SCIENCE

Knowledge is all information received by the human senses. While Science is knowledge obtained through
scientific methods, which has some characteristics as follow: systematic, objective, logical and empirical.
So, Knowledge can be categorized as science if the knowledge is acceptable tested rationally and
empirically. Scientific method plays an important role in the transformation of knowledge to science.
Scientific method can determine whether knowledge can be a science or not. It is because the scientific
method is the standard for assessing and measuring feasibility of a science.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD & NON SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Scientific Method:
The problem formulation is clear and specific
 The problems are things that can be observed and measured empirically
 The answer to the problem is based on data
 The process of data collection and analysis, and decision making based on correct logic
 Conclusions can be tested by others
Example:
 The use of scientific method

Non Scientific Method:

 The formulation of problem is abstact
 Problems are not always measured empirically and can be supernatural / dogmatic
 Answers are not obtained from observations in the field
 Decisions are not based on the results of logical data collection and analysis
 Conclusions are not made to be retested by others
Example :
 The use of common sense, prejudice, intuition, chance discovery and trial and error,

STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Identify a Gather Formulate a

problem Information hypothesis

Draw Analyze Design and

Conclusions Data Experiment
1. Identify the Problem
State the problem to be solved or the question to be answered.
(John wonders if the amount of sugar used in the recipe will affect the size of the bread loaf.)
2. Gather Information
Obtain facts and ideas from books, journals, internet, etc. that provide insight regarding your
problem/question.
 John researches the areas of baking and fermentation and tries to come up with a way to test his
question. He keeps all of his information on this topic in a journal.
 John talks with his teacher and she gives him Experimental Design Diagram to help him set up his
investigation.
3. Formulate a Hypothesis
Based on the information/research you collect, propose a solution or “best guess” that will help guide
your experimentation and attempt to answer the proposed problem/question.
(After talking with his teacher and conducting further research, he comes up with a hypothesis. “If
more sugar is added, then the bread will rise higher.”)

What is Hypothesis?
Hypothesis is a guess about the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
 The independent, or manipulated variable, is a factor that’s intentionally varied by the
experimenter.
(It would be the amount of sugar added. )
In this case, John is going to use 25g., 50g., 100g., 250g., 500g. of sugar in his experiment.
 The dependent, or responding variable, is the factor that may change as a result of changes made
in the independent variable.
(It would be the size of the loaf of bread.)

4. Design Experiment
Describe, design, and conduct an experiment that will give you information or data that supports (or
not) your hypothesis.
a. John’s teacher helps him come up with a procedure and list of needed materials. She discusses with
John how to determine the control group.

• The control group is the group that serves as the standard of comparison.
• It may be a “no treatment" or an “experimenter selected” group.
• It is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the variable
being tested.

b. Because his grandmother always used 50g. of sugar in her recipe, John is going to use that amount
in his control group.
c. ohn’s teacher reminds him to keep all other factors the same (constant) so that any observed
changes in the bread can be attributed to the variation in the amount of sugar.
 The constants in an experiment are all the factors that the experimenter attempts to keep the
same.
 The constant factors might include:
Other ingredients to the bread recipe, oven used, rise time, brand of ingredients, cooking time,
type of pan used, air temperature and humidity where the bread was rising, oven temperature,
age of the yeast
d. John writes out his procedure for his experiment along with a materials list in his journal. He has
both of these checked by his teacher where she checks for any safety concerns.
5. Analyze the Data
Determine whether your data/results from the experiment supports (or not) your hypothesis; if not, it
may be necessary to review your information/research and revise your hypothesis.
John comes up with a table he can use to record his data. John gets all his materials together and carries
out his experiment.

6. Draw Conclusion
Formulate a conclusion that answers the original question from step one and share the results with the
scientific community (or the community at large).

John rejects his hypothesis, but He decides to re-test using sugar amounts between 50g. and 100g.
Once again, John gathers his materials and carries out his experiment. Here are the results.

Conclusion
John finds that 70g. of sugar produces the largest loaf.
His hypothesis is accepted.