What are the steps that scientists follow to solve problems?

Answer 1

Okay, let's say you want to find out whether slugs travel faster on sandpaper or on grass (we all know the answer, but it's just an example). Here's what you do:

1. Observe

Observe the slugs in their natural environment and see how different surfaces affect their movement.

2. Hypothesize

Make an educated guess, or hypothesis, about whether you think the sandpaper will make the slugs go slower, faster, or stay the same. This guess should be affected by what you observed.

3. Test

Test your hypothesis by putting a few slugs on grass (this will be the control group) and a few slugs on sandpaper (this will be the experimental group, because you are experimenting with them. Record the data for how fast the control group slugs and the experimental group slugs travel.

4. Analyze

Analyze the data you have recorded to see how the sandpaper affected the slugs.

5. Conclusion

Determine whether your hypothesis was correct or not.