The Scientific Method: Example Essay By An Expert Writer To Follow

Observation is the act of learning about and investigating a specific area of interest. When we make observations, we notice phenomena that we can readily explain, as well as phenomena that defy explanation. When we observe something that we can’t explain and that we wish to understand, or when we have a theory about the conditional behavior of the system or object we are observing, we are led to ask a question that we can answer by conducting purposeful research.
The research question should make the goal and the course of the research clear. It should not be too vague or too broad, because then its answer will be of little or no scientific value; nor should it be too specific, because then it will be irrelevant to all but a small group of people. Instead, the research question should be well-thought-out and focused, and should guide the experiment to produce significant findings from which conclusions can be confidently drawn.
The hypothesis is a refutable statement about the expected outcome of the research. It is the answer to the research question that the researcher guesses he or she will find, based on previous observation, logic, and reasoning. A prediction is a testable statement about how the hypothesis will be demonstrated. The purpose of the experiment or research is to test the prediction.
The test is the procedure that the researcher follows in order to collect data that will be analyzed and found either to support or refute the predictions derived from the research hypothesis. Analysis is the manipulation of data so that it can be represented meaningfully, and in a way that lends to accurate interpretation.
One of my hobbies is gardening, and I was interested in finding out how to increase the longevity of my basil. This led to the research question, what combination of conditions leads to the best health outcome for my plants? I guessed that my healthiest basil plant would be indoor-grown, planted in Miracle-gro, and watered every other day. I reasoned that indoor plants are less vulnerable to pests than outdoor plants, and it is possible to control their climate; Miracle-gro is scientifically formulated to provide needed nutrients to plants, unlike dirt; and watering every other day would reduce the risk of accidental overwatering, as compared to watering every day. I set up six pots of basil, one for each combination of growing conditions, and observed the health of the plants over a period of a few weeks. An analysis of the plants’ rate of growth, final height, color, and appearance led me to conclude that my hypothesis was correct.