The Scientific Method in Practice
Learning the systematic steps scientists follow to investigate questions.
Core concept
For example, to test whether sunlight affects plant growth, a scientist would grow two identical plants under identical conditions except for light exposure — one in sunlight, one in darkness — keeping water, soil, and temperature the same. This is called a controlled experiment. Reliable experiments should also be repeatable, meaning other scientists can perform the same experiment and get similar results, which helps confirm the finding is accurate and not just a coincidence.
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• The scientific method uses observation, hypothesis, controlled experiments, and conclusions.
• A controlled experiment changes only one variable while keeping others constant.
• Reliable results should be repeatable by other scientists.
• Repeatability helps confirm a finding is accurate, not coincidental.