Hypothesizing in Science
Introduction
Science is the process of doing systematic research to find out what general principles govern the way the universe works. The following process demonstrates the basis for the scientific method. The steps of the method are done in conducted in the order in which they are presented:
Question (this begins with curiosity about something).
Hypothesis (an educated guess as to the answer).
Experiment (controlled and repeatable).
Observations (made carefully and recorded, using all of your senses).
Conclusion (statement about hypothesis).
Report (tells what was found; peer reviewable).
The most important first step for designing a fair (or valid) experiment is the hypothesis. A hypothesis is a possible explanation to an observation or phenomenon. You have some information about the world in which you live, and you use what you already know to make a guess regarding the answer to the question you have asked. The hypothesis does not have to be correct—many things can still be learned from a hypothesis that is incorrect.
