T h e S c i e n t i f i c M e t h o d The scientific method is the process by which scientists, collectively and over time, endeavor to construct an accurate (reliable, consistent and non-arbitrary) representation of the world. The scientific method has four steps: Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena. (Define) Formulation of an hypothesis to explain the phenomena (Hypothesize) Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to predict quantitatively the results of new observations. (Predict) Performance of experimental tests of the predictions by several independent experimenters and properly performed experiments. (Prove/Confirm/Succeed) To learn more about the scientific method, explore these other links. Exploring these links will open additional browser windows. Simply close those additional browser windows by clicking the X in the upper right hand corner to return to this page in the Institute.