To understand how the scientific method can be used to search for explanations of nature An astrology-loving friend hypothesizes
that people born in that week like horror movies more than other genres of movies. You decide to use the scientific method to test this hypothesis. The scientific method is a procedure used to search for explanations of nature. The scientific method consists of making observations, formulating hypotheses, designing and carrying out experiments, and repeating this cycle.
Observations can be either quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative observations are measurements consisting of both numbers and units, such as the observation that ice melts at 0°C. In contrast, qualitative observations are observations that do not rely on numbers or units, such as the observation that water is clear.
A hypothesis is a tentative explanation of the observations. The hypothesis is not necessarily correct, but it puts the scientist's understanding of the observations into a form that can be tested through experimentation.
Experiments are then performed to test the validity of the hypothesis. Experiments are controlled procedures, preferably made under conditions in which the variable of interest is related to hypothesis .
In the course of a conversation, you observe that three of your friends like horror movies. Horror movies happen to be your favorite type of movie as well. You also know that all of these friends were born in the same week that you were, even in the same year.
An astrology-loving friend hypothesizes that people born in that week like horror movies more than other genres of movies. You decide to use the scientific method to test this hypothesis. What should you do next?
A. Come up with a theory to explain birth week.
B. Perform experiments to test your.
C. Propose several alternative hypotheses.
D. Refine your hypothesis.
Scientific experiments involves using scientific method, which is an outlined manner of conducting an experiment. The scientific method consists of series of steps starting from making observation, followed by formulating an hypothesis, and then carrying out the experiments (as stated in the question).
According to this question, an observation that that three friends who were born in the same week like horror movies has been made. Using the scientific method, this was followed by formulating an hypothesis that "people born in that week like horror movies more than other genres of movies". Hence, this hypothesis will be tested out next by conducting an experiment.
The experiment will prove/disprove the hypothesis (a testable explanation). A way to carry out the experiment is by finding out if other people born in the same week as your friends like horror movies.
