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Scientific Method

Definition

The scientific method is a systematic procedure that researchers use to conduct experiments. It involves observing, forming questions, making predictions, doing experiments, and developing theories.

Analogy

Think of the scientific method as baking a cake from scratch. You start with an idea (the recipe), gather your ingredients (observations), predict the outcome (hypothesis), mix everything together and bake it (experiment), then taste it to see if it's good or needs tweaking (conclusion).

Related terms

Hypothesis: A testable prediction about the outcome of research. Like guessing who will win in a football match before it starts.

Variable: Any factor that can be controlled, changed, or measured in an experiment. Like adjusting the oven temperature when baking a cake.

Theory: A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world based on empirical evidence. Like understanding why cakes rise when baked due to chemical reactions between ingredients.