Scientific Method – Part 1

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to assess your ability to:

• Explain how we gain scientific knowledge.
• Discuss how critical thinking facilitates the acquisition of scientific knowledge.

Action Items

1. Review the key points and videos for this module. For this assignment, pay special attention to the following video: Scientific Method Review. (Links to an external site.)
2. Answer the following questions in your discussion post:
   1. Explain the importance of the scientific method to the acquisition of scientific knowledge.
   2. What are the characteristics of a good hypothesis?
   3. Identify a topic/issue/phenomenon you are interested in learning more about. Explain why you are interested in learning about this topic/issue/phenomenon. (Note: You will be exploring this same topic/issue/phenomenon for all ten parts of the Scientific Method assignment. So, choose wisely!).
   4. Draft a research question and a testable hypothesis related to your chosen topic/issue/phenomena.
3. Read through all of your peers’ posts. Provide a peer review for at least one of the proposed hypotheses (Is the hypothesis written clearly and concisely? Is the scope appropriate [or is it too wide/narrow]? Is the hypothesis testable? etc.). Be sure to post any recommended changes/updates.