Scientific Method
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The Mandella Environment

Scientific Method

The   Scientific   Method
can be used to solve any problem,

even to find a date for Friday Night!

Here's how to do it:

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

My Problem is - "I need a date for Friday Night".

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 someone to take out Friday Night".

    Who can I take?
      - 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!

      "My date will be ( Name )".

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

      "Ask ( Name ) for a date Friday Night".

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

      In its simplest form, there are only two possible conclusions:

      Conclusion 1   If your hypothesis was correct, you now have a date for Friday.

      PROBLEM SOLVED!

      Conclusion 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 the new hypothesis.

      Continue this process until the problem is solved!  

      The basic steps:

      1. State the problem - a problem can't be solved if it isn't understood.
      2. Form a hypothesis - a possible solution, formed after gathering information about the problem.
      3. Test the hypothesis - an experiment is an organized set of procedures performed to determine if the hypothesis solves the problem or not.
      4. Draw conclusions - In it's simplest form, the conclusion will be "yes" the hypothesis was correct, or "no" the hypothesis was not correct.

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