Steps of the Scientific Method

Step 1: Start with a question. What do you wonder about? What would you like to know? In the first
step of the scientific method, you may need to do some background research to learn more. It can
help you define your question and decide what you want to discover.
Step 2: Form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an educated guess or explanation for what you know.
Forming a good hypothesis—a scientific hypothesis—is the starting point for the experiment (and
further study). You can prove the hypothesis as observably correct or disprove it through
experimentation. Observably, because scientific explanations for the results of an experiment evolve
and change.
Step 3: Conduct an experiment, making observations, and tracking results. Set up a test
experiment to see if your hypothesis is right or wrong. Make observations during your experiment
and keep track of them by writing them down. Often replication of an experiment, in the exact same
way, is necessary to be sure of your results.
Step 4: Come to a conclusion. Decide whether your hypothesis was right or wrong.  What were the
results of your experiment? Can you tell why it happened that way? Explain and communicate your
results.
These principles can be used to study the natural world and navigate life’s challenges. You can study
anything from plants and rocks to biology or chemical reactions using these four steps. Even very
young students can use a modified version of the scientific method to organize their thoughts.