Intro to the Scientific Method, Part 1

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Question 1: Is the scientific method used to invent things?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. It is used to discover facts. 

Can the scientific method be applied to non-science topics, like to a business problem?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. It is a way to design and interpret experiments on any topic.   

Is this a good question for a research experiment: “Why do stars twinkle?”

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. An experiment’s question should have a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer because the hypothesis needs to be tested as true or false.

Do we search prior research articles before choosing a research question?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. We can search in many online databases to see if someone else has already answered this question.

Is it OK if a hypothesis is false?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. We only use a hypothesis to design an experiment; the experiment will determine if the hypothesis is true or false.

Do we use graphs when analyzing experiment results?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. That is how we suspect trends without statistics.   

Do scientists usually share their research results?  

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. They typically publish these in scientific journals. 

Do scientists only study practical questions?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. Some study Nature which may seem impractical at first. But those discoveries can be very important and practical.