The Scientific Method at The ROVer Ranch

The Scientific Method

Step 1:
State the problem. 		You cannot solve a problem until you know exactly what it is.

My Problem is - "I need to build a robot to accomplish my mission".

Step 2:
Research the problem. 		What will it take to solve my problem?
What do I know, and need to know, about my problem?

To solve my problem, "I need to know _how_ to build a robot".

    How do I do that?
      - Examine the possibilities.
      - Eliminate poor choices.
      - Consider likely choices.

Step 3:
Form a hypothesis. 		A possible solution to my problem.
The simplest solution is often the best solution!

"Based on my research, I will build a robot called ( GoBot )".

Step 4:
Test the hypothesis. 		Perform an experiment to see if your hypothesis works.

"Put ( GoBot ) in the simulator".

Step 5:
Draw conclusions from the data. 		Data are the results of an experiment.

In its simplest form, there are only two possibilities:

(1) If your hypothesis was correct, you now have a successful robot.

PROBLEM SOLVED!

(2) If your hypothesis was incorrect, the experiment failed.

DON'T GIVE UP!

DO MORE RESEARCH!

- What was wrong with your original hypothesis?
- Did you make a poor selection?
- Was your experiment flawed?
- Form another hypothesis based on additional research.
- Test your new hypothesis.
Continue this process until the problem is solved!