Name: _____________ Science Handout Date: ______________
Week: _____________
The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a series of processes that people can use to gather
knowledge about the world around them, improve that knowledge, and attempt to
explain why and/or how things occur.
The scientific method is a way of solving problems that uses a set of steps to make
sure your answer is accurate and based on evidence.
When people use the scientific method, they collect evidence and think about it to
try to figure out what is really going on.
Steps of the Scientific Method:
Ask a question: Keep your question concise and clear so that everyone knows
what you are trying to solve.
State your hypothesis: When you answer questions about what you think will
happen in a science experiment, you're making a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a
possible answer to your question.
Identify and control variables: Variables are things in an experiment that can
change.
Test your hypothesis: Making sure that the hypothesis is valid and testable, to
using controls and tests.
Collect and record your data: Keep records of what you do and find.
Interpret your data: Organize your data.
Draw conclusion: A conclusion is a decision you make based on your data.