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SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS

Learn the methods scientists rely on when creating facts, knowledge, and enduring understanding...

Descriptive

Descriptive scientific methods are used to gather data regarding natural phenomena and natural relationships and includes observations and measurements of behaviors.

Comparative

Comparative scientific methods are used to determine and quantify relationships between two or more variables by observing different groups that either by choice or circumstance are exposed to different treatments.

Experimental

Experimental scientific methods are used to investigate the relationship(s) between two or more variables when at least one of those variables can be intentionally controlled or manipulated. The resulting effect of that manipulation (often called a treatment) can then be measured on another variable or variables.

Modelling

Both physical and computer-based models are built to mimic natural systems and then used to conduct experiments or make observations. Weather forecasts are an example of scientific modeling that we see every day, where data collected on temperature, wind speed, and direction are used in combination with known physics of atmospheric circulation to predict the path of storms and other weather patterns.

Other

In addition to the ones listed above, there are other scientific methods available to scientists and science students. SCIENCEsEDiment has documented some of them for you here so that you can begin expanding your methodological repertoire.