Introduction to the Scientific Method

When conducting an experiment a standard procedure called the scientific method is

used, but what exactly is its purpose? The scientific method is a method that was developed to

use observation and experimentation in order to acquire new knowledge or further understanding

of natural phenomenon. This method allows observations to be analyzed based on results

predicted before the experiment was conducted. The basis of the method consists of observations

that help to develop hypotheses and experimentation that results in measurements that test the

hypotheses. From the collected measurements, an analysis is completed to either support, reject,

or modify the hypothesis.

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation of why a specific phenomenon occurs based on a

general understanding a researcher develops while observing a natural phenomenon. Once a

hypothesis is established experimentation is carried out to produce results that will either reject

false hypotheses or support other ones. While experiments can be conducted in various ways,

there are characteristics that make up a good experiment. These include an experiment being

repeatable as it cannot be validated if it can’t be repeated. There must also be replicates of the

experiment on different variables and different treatments of variables to assess its effect.

The need for different treatments leads to the distinction between a controlled experiment

and a natural experiment. Many scientists perform a controlled experiment in which two or more

groups are established and receive the exact same treatment except for a single variable. This

type of experiment consists of two variables known as the independent and dependent variables.

The independent variable is the one in which the inputs are purposefully manipulated, and the

dependent variable is the variable expected to change based on the presence or absence of an
experimental treatment. In contrast a natural experiment is one that cannot be controlled as the

possibility of controlling a variable is outside of the researchers ability. Instead they rely on a

variety of replicates that are subjected to experimental and controlled effects to infer an effect.

Once an experiment is conducted a researcher will analyze the data using statistics in

order to test hypotheses. The first type of statistics looked at is descriptive statistics, which

define the observation by summarizing the central tendency and variability of the data

distribution. After this is completed, inferential statistics is used to make predictions about the

larger population that the sample is based on. These forms of hypothesis testing help to

determine the probability of competing hypotheses. Hypothesis testing measures the relationship

between the control and experimental groups. Each hypothesis prediction is compared to the

observed phenomenon and examined through statistical analysis. If the observed phenomenon

contrasts with the predicted hypothesis, then the hypothesis is rejected. If the observations do not

contrast with the predicted hypothesis then it is said to be supported.

Scientists prefer to say the hypothesis “failed to be rejected” because even though the

hypothesis was supported in one experiment, it can be invalidated in another. If a difference

between the control and experimental group is not found then the null hypothesis is supported,

which indicated no effect of the experimental treatment. If a difference between the data sets is

found through hypothesis testing it is inferred that the experimental treatment had some effect on

the dependent variable, supporting the alternative hypothesis. While many scientists never say a

hypothesis was proven, if the results from an experiment support a hypothesis the confidence in

the validity of the hypothesis increases. The emergence of new data and alternative hypotheses

can never “prove” a hypothesis, it may be validated by the larger scientific community by

repeating the experiment with the same result. As the experiment is conducted various times, by
various people over a long period of time, the continuous support of the hypothesis allows it to

have a larger context and can lead to the development of a theory.