SCIENCE MEETS REAL LIFE

Science Meets Real Life

Science Meets Real Life

Part 1:

Scientific method involves a process of assessment, evaluation of a problem especially in the field of science. This method has been used many years and always provides scientists with the proper result. It provides the scientist with a proper frame wok to evaluate, assess and report the result. If some one follows the process properly, then he can achieve success. (Bynum 2005)

The first step involves the statement of the problem. In this step, we have to ask a question that we are interested to know more about it. In this way, we can come up with a list that we are looking for. The second step in this sequence is gathering information. Doing this step well makes it easier to come up with a good experiment that makes sense. You can find information in numerous ways. You can do research using written sources like newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and more. Also, you can always talk to other people to pick up information. Sometimes, you can even use the knowledge you have learned from your own past experiences. Using this information, you can make a good hypothesis, which is the next step.

Thirdly, you must form a hypothesis. What you want to do is make a good educated guess on what you think will be the outcome of the experiment. Using the information you gathered on the previous step this should not be too hard. After you have done this, you must move on to testing your hypothesis and learning from it! Now, to the hands-on part, which is actually doing the experiment? In this part, you want to do several things. (Godfrey 2003)You want to make sure to do proper planning, and get all the supplies you will need. It can never hurt to have lots of extra stuff on hand just in case you run into any problems, or have to do more than three trials. Then you want to figure out all of your constants and variables in the experiment. This is also sometimes called the experimental vs. control Group. Make sure not to test more than one or two variables at a time. Otherwise, you would not have clear data results. Another key thing to remember in your experiment is safety.

The most important thing is that you never do an experiment by yourself! Always have a lab partner with you, so that if you were to have a problem, your partner would be there to assist you. For most all experiments, you need to have protective eye wear. Also, remember insulated gloves if you are handling something hot and rubber gloves for strong chemicals. You also want to make sure to have the proper safety equipment in the lab you are testing in. (Gauch 2003) You may need an emergency eye wash station, fire extinguishers, or anything else related to a specific thing you may be testing. When testing any chemicals, even household types, be sure ...