What is meant by the scientific method of research ?

The scientific method is the basic way scientists approach
a problem and attempt to solve it.

Step 1: State the
problem. You must be able to recognize and clearly state it in the form of a
question.

Step 2: Analyze the data. Do some research
regarding the problem or question you are trying to solve to see what information you
can gather

Step 3: Formulate your HYPOTHESIS. This is an
educated guess and is a possible answer to the
problem.

Step 4: Conduct an experiment. Design an
experiment to attempt to find out if your hypothesis is correct or not. Remember in a
valid science experiment, keep accurate data, use a large sample in your research and
make sure it is a controlled experiment. Half of your sample is tested (experimental
group) and half is there for comparison (control group). Only the experimental group
should be given the variable that you are testing.

Step 5:
Analyze your data. Did your experiment show any patterns? Did you learn
something?

Step 6: Come up with your conclusion. Was your
hypothesis correct? If not, test another hypothesis. If it was, your experiment must be
done by other scientists to make sure your results are
valid.

An Example of the Scientific
Method

Problem: Is the weight of children
affected by the drinking of soda? (This is stated as a
question.)

Hypothesis: Children who drink soda will be
overweight. (This is written as a statement. We don't know if it's right or wrong until
it is tested.)

Experiment: Pick a
large number of children (let's say five hundred) and give half of them a diet including
soda (experimental group) and half of them a diet without soda (control group) and
collect data--their weight--over a six-month
period.

Analysis of data: Using charts, graphs, computer
models, etc., see if a pattern emerges among soda drinkers and their weight, versus
non-soda drinkers and their weight.

Conclusion: Write about
whether your hypothesis was correct or not based on the data.