The scientific method in science has been an important and fundamental part of the science community for many years. Although it has been modified and changed slightly as science has advanced, the scientific method contains a strict standard for conducting experiments and explaining phenomena. The scientific method encompasses techniques for investigating that phenomena, provides a vehicle for gaining new knowledge, and corrects currently existing knowledge if it is found to be inaccurate.

The actual science process consists of collecting data through scientific research, by means of observation, testing a hypothesis and experimentation. Below lists the steps of the scientific method. Although the scientific method and scientific research varies by science disciplines, there are several fundamental aspects that are universal to all of them which are contained on scientific research reports.

1. Characterizations

Characterizations in scientific research include systematic and precise measurements or counts of relevant gathered data. This data is sometimes graphed, mapped, or tabulated in order to measure the data. Certain manipulations can also be done to the data such as correlation and regression. These measurements can either be controlled in a laboratory or in the field of its natural state.

2. The development of a hypothesis

A hypothesis is a suggested explanation of phenomenon based on the characterization, or a proposal suggesting a possible correlation between a set of phenomena. Although not always, a hypothesis has a mathematical interpretation, but also a hypothesis in scientific research could be a simple statement.

Scientists are free to use whatever creativity or knowledge that they have and it can be generated from past experiences or from knowledge in other fields of science. A hypothesis can be a plausible guess as to what will result from a scientific research experiment. Also, in science, often times an “elegant” hypothesis is often chosen but not based on the ordinary English meaning of the word; rather, “elegant” refers to the simplicity of the hypothesis.

3. Predictions

From the hypothesis, a prediction can then be formulated in the scientific research. A good hypothesis will almost always lead to a conclusive prediction of what will happen when the experiment is conducted. It is essential that the outcome be unknown at the moment.

4. Experiments

Once a prediction is established in scientific research, it can be tested within an experiment. If test results do not match up with the prediction, then the hypothesis is then reevaluated. The science experiment can also be brought into question as they could have been done incorrectly. Experimentation error can be handled using experimental control by using differing conditions by observing what changes and what stays the same.

5. Evaluation

At any time during scientific research, a scientist may go back and alter a step, such as when a hypothesis is not interesting enough and it may be altered and improved. A science hypothesis should always give way to interesting and testable predictions. If the experiment leads to uninteresting results, then the experiment could be redesigned.

After an experiment is done and documented, sometimes in science publications during scientific research, it is not uncommon in science for their work to be evaluated by peers. Other scientists will test their work in their own setting and determine the validity of their findings.