Scientific Method: What Is the Scientific Method?

Upon viewing the Scientific Method video series, students will be able to do the following:

Appreciate the importance of science and scientific discoveries in improving quality of life.
Understand that the scientific method is one of many tools that scientists use to gain knowledge.
Explain that the scientific method is a systematic approach to solving problems and answering questions.
Describe each of the following parts of the scientific method:
- Defining a problem or question
- Gathering information
- Forming a hypothesis
- Testing the hypothesis
- Recording and analyzing data
- Stating a conclusion
Given a specific question or problem, students can explain how they would use the steps of the scientific method to address it.
Understand the importance and meaning of data tables and graphs.
Explain that scientists often use only part of the scientific method, or they may repeat certain steps many times.
Understand that even though scientists might not follow the scientific method step by step, they use parts of it to organize their thoughts and work.