Steps of the Scientific Method (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what the scientific method is and what its steps are. Also, how scientific research is carried out.

What is the scientific method?

The scientific method is a process through which it seeks to establish relationships between facts to enunciate laws that base the functioning of the world. This method can be extrapolated to almost all sciences.

The scientific method must meticulously follow certain steps to guarantee scientific quality results from empirically verifiable evidence. It is sometimes used to shed light on topics that were poorly studied or that have not been explained in all their variants. Other times, serves to give a new explanation to a phenomenon or to refute some particular interpretation.

What are the steps of the scientific method?

laboratory - microscope — A project may or may not consist of an experimentation stage.

Observation. The researcher observes the reality that surrounds him and finds some question or problem to solve that is relevant to him. It is important that a detailed and concise observation of the phenomenon be made. This stage is vital to later develop a deep approach to the observed phenomenon.
Induction or questions. At this stage the researcher poses a series of questions or questions about the observed phenomenon.
Statement of a hypothesis. The hypothesis is a theoretically based statement that relates two variables. It is a tentative answer to the question posed. There is also the type of investigative work in which the hypothesis, faced with a negative or contradictory case, is reconfigured, redefined and modified so that it can always explain the new cases with which it is contrasted. (See also: types of hypotheses)
Experimentation. In this stage the hypothesis is tested through the management of the variables that compose it. Experimentation will corroborate or reject the relationship raised in the hypothesis. The hypothesis is tested to see if it is proven in all cases. In the event that the hypothesis cannot be proven, a new one can be formulated. A project may or may not consist of this stage, which is actually characteristic of the research carried out in the natural sciences. In the case of the social sciences, their research can do without experimentation. The main objective of this stage is to recreate “natural” conditions within the environment and framework of the scientific experiment. Simulating the same conditions, having the same or similar elements that make up the phenomenon studied.
Conclusions. A report is detailed about the results and conclusions reached by carrying out the scientific research. From the results obtained, theories, scientific laws and contributions can be derived that contribute to the characterization of a phenomenon.

How is an investigation done?

All scientific research seeks to achieve an objective. The scientific method has a series of steps through which to approach the phenomenon to be studied.

Nothing stipulates what should be the beginning of a scientific project, it can only be personal experience on some issue, motivation, a newspaper story, an analysis from a scientific journal, some unresolved problem or a concern to solve some aspect of the project. everyday life.

There are a series of suggestions to follow for the development of an investigation:

Select a theme of interest: What topics interest me? Because?
Organize the material available on the selected topic.
Discover and analyze the phenomena that are part of that topic. The questions that arise from this observation of the phenomenon to be studied serve as a guide for the research project.
Follow the steps of the scientific method. The questions asked allow us to develop a hypothesis (possible answer to these questions) that will try to be verified through experimentation. Strictly and rigorously following the steps of the scientific method allows us to provide empirical and verifiable answers to the questions raised about a certain phenomenon.
Make a research portfolio in which the steps and discoveries, conclusions and bibliography are detailed.

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