How Do I Create an Experiment? | Border Image Credit: NASA, ESA, the Hubble SM4 ERO

How Do I Create an Experiment? |Border Image Credit: NASA, ESA, the Hubble SM4 ERO Team, and ST-ECF, Hubble

Usually when attempting an experiment, one will follow the steps of the scientific method, described below, even if some engineering is involved.

1. Make observations.

2. Propose a question.

3. Do thorough background research.

4. State the problem.

5. Construct a hypothesis and make predictions of the results.

6. Design and execute an experiment to test the hypothesis. During the experiment you will be basically controlling and measuring variables, which are divided into three types, explained below.

Controlled variable - You may have as many controlled variables as you wish. You will attempt to keep these variables constant and unchanging, so that if you have to re-do the experiment [which you most likely will because very few experiments go completely right the first time] you will be able to reproduce controlled variables exactly, or as closely as possible to how they were in the original experiment.

Independent variable - In most experiments there is only a singular independent variable, which is controlled by the experimenter[s]. During the experiment[s] you will control the independent variable and change it to observe the results.

Dependent variable - This variable depends on the independent variable, thus it’s title. You will focus upon this variable to see how it reacts in lieu of the change[s] of the independent variable. [This is the main variable you will focus on measuring.]

7. Collect results, analyze the data, and draw your conclusions. After collecting your results and analyzing them, do you accept or reject the hypothesis? If you choose to reject the original hypothesis because the results do not support it, go back and revise the hypothesis, and start over. If you’ve accepted your hypothesis because the results support it, feel free to draw conclusions.

There are varied steps depending on the type of experiment you are creating, and what your purpose of said experiment is. If the purpose of your experiment is to observe the way something works you will be using the scientific method, which I described above. If you are attempting to create and/or invent something through your experiment, [eg. products, experiences, environments, computer programs, etc.] then you will be using the engineering design process.

If you don’t know which process you should use check out this simple guide to comparing the engineering design process and the scientific method here.