How Scientists Work
Scientists start by observing the world and asking questions. For example, why do objects fall to the ground? Or, how do plants grow? They come up with explanations, called hypotheses, and then test them through experiments. They collect data and analyse the results to see if the evidence supports their hypothesis.
If it does, they might develop a theory—a well-tested explanation for how something works. But the process doesn’t stop there. Other scientists will review their work, test it themselves, and sometimes find new information that challenges the original idea. This process of testing, questioning, and improving ideas is what makes science reliable and always evolving.
Scientists start by observing the world and asking questions. For example, why do objects fall to the ground? Or, how do plants grow? They come up with explanations, called hypotheses, and then test them through experiments. They collect data and analyse the results to see if the evidence supports their hypothesis.
If it does, they might develop a theory—a well-tested explanation for how something works. But the process doesn’t stop there. Other scientists will review their work, test it themselves, and sometimes find new information that challenges the original idea. This process of testing, questioning, and improving ideas is what makes science reliable and always evolving.
The scientific method
The scientific method is a systematic way to explore observations, solve problems, and test hypotheses.
The scientific method is a systematic way to explore observations, solve problems, and test hypotheses.
- Observation/Question: The process begins by observing something in the world and asking a question about it. This curiosity leads to forming a research topic or focus.
- Research Topic Area: Once you have your question, the next step is to conduct background research on the topic. This helps refine the question and understand what is already known.
- Hypothesis: Based on your research, you propose a hypothesis — a possible answer or explanation for the question. A hypothesis should be something you can test through experiments.
- Test with Experiment: To test the hypothesis, an experiment is designed. This involves creating conditions to see if the hypothesis is supported or not.
- Analyse Data: After conducting the experiment, data is collected and analysed. The results help to see if the experiment supports the hypothesis or if it raises new questions.
- Report Conclusions: Finally, based on the data analysis, you draw conclusions. If the hypothesis is supported, it may answer the question. If not, the process starts over, often leading to new hypotheses and experiments.
Scientific Ideas Change Over Time
Science is all about progress. Sometimes, new discoveries force scientists to rethink their old ideas. Take the example of our understanding of the solar system. Hundreds of years ago, people believed that the Earth was the centre of the universe and that everything revolved around it. But through careful observations, scientists like Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei found evidence that the Sun, not the Earth, was at the centre of the solar system. This new evidence led to a major change in how people understood the universe.
Even today, scientific ideas continue to change as new discoveries are made. For example, our understanding of diseases has dramatically changed thanks to advancements in microbiology and technology. Scientists used to believe that diseases were caused by "bad air" or imbalances in the body, but now we know that germs, bacteria, and viruses are responsible for many illnesses.
Science is all about progress. Sometimes, new discoveries force scientists to rethink their old ideas. Take the example of our understanding of the solar system. Hundreds of years ago, people believed that the Earth was the centre of the universe and that everything revolved around it. But through careful observations, scientists like Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei found evidence that the Sun, not the Earth, was at the centre of the solar system. This new evidence led to a major change in how people understood the universe.
Even today, scientific ideas continue to change as new discoveries are made. For example, our understanding of diseases has dramatically changed thanks to advancements in microbiology and technology. Scientists used to believe that diseases were caused by "bad air" or imbalances in the body, but now we know that germs, bacteria, and viruses are responsible for many illnesses.
