What are the steps involved in the scientific method?
A.
Observation, hypothesis, prediction, experimentation, analysis, conclusion.
B.
Hypothesis, observation, prediction, experimentation, analysis, conclusion.
C.
Prediction, observation, experimentation, analysis, conclusion, hypothesis.
D.
Observation, data collection, analysis, experimentation, hypothesis, conclusion.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Observation, hypothesis, prediction, experimentation, analysis, conclusion.
Explanation:
The scientific method is a systematic process used to explore observations, answer questions, and test hypotheses in a structured and logical way. The steps typically follow this order:
- Observation: This is the initial step where a phenomenon, event, or problem is noticed. Observations often come from curiosity about the world around us and form the basis of the question to be answered.
- Hypothesis: After making observations, scientists propose a hypothesis, which is a testable explanation or prediction about what they expect to happen in a specific situation. The hypothesis is based on existing knowledge and research.
- Prediction: Based on the hypothesis, predictions are made about the outcome of the experiment. Predictions often follow an “if-then” structure (e.g., If my hypothesis is correct, then X will happen when I conduct this experiment).
- Experimentation: This is the phase where the hypothesis is tested. The experiment should be designed to be replicable and to control for variables to ensure that the results are due to the condition being tested. It often involves gathering quantitative or qualitative data.
- Analysis: After collecting data, scientists analyze the results to determine if they support or refute the hypothesis. Statistical methods are often used to assess the significance of the results.
- Conclusion: Based on the analysis, scientists draw conclusions. They either support the hypothesis or reject it. If rejected, the hypothesis may be modified, and the process starts again.
In summary, this step-by-step process ensures that scientific investigations are unbiased, repeatable, and reliable, contributing to the advancement of knowledge.