Scientific Method: Steps and Practical Applications

Hey, buddy! I'm Rubén Águila, and today I'm here to talk to you about the scientific method and its steps. Yes, that set of steps that scientists follow to unravel the mysteries of the universe. But don't worry, I'm not going to give you an academic rant. I'll tell you from my experience, with a casual and direct tone, in the purest style of Isra Bravo.

What the hell is the scientific method?

The scientific method is a tool that allows us to understand how the world works. It is like a cooking recipe that, if you follow step by step, leads you to discover objective truths, leaving aside opinions and personal beliefs. Simply put, it's how scientists turn a crazy idea into a proven fact.

The steps of the scientific method

Let's cut to the chase. The scientific method is made up of several steps, and while some listings vary, they generally include:

• Observation: It all starts here. You look around and notice something curious that piques your interest. For example, why don't toasters sometimes toast bread evenly?
• Problem Statement: You formulate a specific question about what you have observed. Continuing with the example above, you might ask: What causes toasters to not toast bread evenly?
• Hypothesis: You propose a tentative explanation. Something like, "If the toaster's heating element is damaged, then the bread will not toast evenly."
• Experimentation: You design and conduct experiments to test your hypothesis. In this case, you might test different toasters and observe how they toast bread.
• Analysis: You examine the data obtained during experimentation. Do the results support your hypothesis or refute it?
• Conclusion: You determine whether or not your hypothesis was correct. If it was not, you may have to formulate a new hypothesis and repeat the process.

My personal experience with the scientific method

Throughout my life, I have had several experiences where the scientific method has been my best ally. Let me share one of them with you.

The mystery of the wilting plants

A few years ago, I noticed that the plants in my garden were wilting for no apparent reason. I decided to apply the scientific method to find out what was going on.

• Observation: The leaves of my plants were yellowing and drooping, despite regular watering.
• Problem Statement: Why are the plants wilting if I water them properly
• Hypothesis: Perhaps I am watering them too much, and the excess water is affecting their roots.
• Experimentation: I decided to reduce the amount of water and observe the changes for two weeks.
• Analysis: After this period, I noticed that the plants started to recover; the leaves looked greener and firmer.
• Conclusion: Indeed, overwatering was harming my plants. I adjusted the amount of water, and the garden flourished again.

Applications of the scientific method in everyday life

You don't need to be a scientist in a white coat to apply the scientific method. In everyday life, this approach can help you solve problems logically and effectively.

• Cooking: If a recipe doesn't turn out as expected, you can analyze each step to identify what went wrong and correct it next time.
• Work: If a project isn't moving forward, you can evaluate the strategies used, identify obstacles and try new solutions.
• Personal Relationships: If you have recurring conflicts, you can observe patterns of behavior, hypothesize about the causes and experiment with different forms of communication.

The Feynman Technique: Learning like a Nobel

Speaking of effective methods, I cannot fail to mention the Feynman Technique, developed by physicist Richard Feynman. This method consists of four steps to learn any subject:

• Choose a concept and explain it in your own words: Try to teach the subject as if you were talking to someone with no prior knowledge.
• Identify gaps in your knowledge: As you explain, you will notice which parts you do not fully understand.
• Organize and simplify the content: Restructure the information using examples and analogies to make it more understandable.
• Test your knowledge by teaching the concept: Explain the topic to someone else or repeat it out loud to consolidate your understanding

This technique is a powerful tool to go deeper into any subject and make sure you really understand what you are learning.

Conclusion:

The scientific method is not only a set of steps to solve scientific mysteries, but also a tool that anyone can use to face everyday challenges. Applying it doesn't automatically make you Einstein, but it does make you someone who makes smarter, more informed decisions.

And if there's one thing this process has taught me, it's that questioning and testing is the key to growth, whether in the lab or in life itself. So, you know: next time you're faced with a problem, think like a scientist and test the method.