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Follow a method |
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The following information is taken from Expérimentez
l'Expo-sciences created by the Conseil du loisir scientifique
in partnership with Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. and the ministère
de la Culture et des Communications du Québec.
The scientific method may seem difficult to
follow, even frightening for some. It is, however, simply a process of
questions and answers or, if you prefer, self-correction. It establishes
a link between experimenting and teaching by explaining the various steps
that make up an experiment. Moreover, it leads to scientific rigour, which
is necessary during experiments.
The scientific method involves five steps: problem, hypothesis,
protocol, analysis and conclusion. The path can sometimes be replaced
by good old-fashioned logic, but what is important is to follow a logical
and critical thought process that is based on solid and critical arguments
in light of your results.
The steps in the scientific method are summarized in the following diagram:
To begin with, you have to choose a problem on
a topic that really interests you. That's important because you may
have to present the topic at all levels of the Science Fair and explain
it hundreds of times. It is often difficult to ask the right question
or to find a topic. To make it easier, gather information by reading
general science magazines and talking to people you know (contacts
are very important!). Look for information wherever you can.
Once you have a problem in mind, follow your logic and you will instinctively
find your way to solving the problem. Here's an explanation of the
following step: you have to solve your problem on the basis of previous
knowledge or discoveries. If you know nothing about your topic, start
by gathering information. Your partial answer will help determine
the steps you will now take to conduct your experiment since you now
have to prove or invalidate (it happens!) your partial answer or hypothesis.
You will need to gather information throughout the duration of your
project, but documentation is especially useful at three particular
stages, as indicated in the
diagram.
Be bold! Don't be afraid to experiment. Try and try again. Experiments
are meant to be repeated. Your experiments should not be conducted
only on a trial and error basis. At this stage, it is important to
foresee possible behaviours in order to control all the variables.
Several variables may act at once. Be rigorous and pay attention to
details. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; they will teach you a lot
about your experiment. Once you choose a method, don't change in midstream.
As you collect your data, organize your data using a diagram or other
means that will enable you to illustrate your data. Be as logical
as possible to avoid distorting your data through erroneous interpretations.
It's important to remain neutral with respect to your results.
Now it's time to discuss your results. You have to explain them in
light of your acquired knowledge. Although this process seems the
simplest and the shortest, it is the most important step of a Science
Fair project, as far as presenting to the judges.
Finally, conclude your experiment with a generalization. The aim is
to review your project in an effort to establish a general law about
your topic. This generalization opens the door to more extensive experiments
since your law applies only to very specific conditions. Your experiment
will now have to be performed under different conditions.
It may be difficult to establish a generalization. If so, go back
to your hypothesis and add to your experiment. What is important is
not that the experiment "works" but that you apply rigorous
standards and use a method that will make it possible to draw promising
conclusions from the results.
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© 2002, Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique
(CDLS). This document is distributed by the Conseil de développement
du loisir scientifique.
For more information, visit our Web site at www.cdls.qc.ca. |
The opinions
expressed in this section are those of the authors and do not
necessarily
reflect the opinions of Merck Frosst or its employees. |
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