Scientists take specific steps for doing scientific work or research. These steps are called the scientific method. For biological research, these steps are called biological method. The following steps are involved in scientific method:
1. Recognition of a Problem
The first step involves identifying and defining a scientific problem (specific issue or phenomenon) that scientist wants to investigate. Such problem is either asked by someone or comes in biologist's mind by himself. For example, a biologist notices that plants in an area are growing taller than usual. He develops a scientific problem: "What factors are responsible for the increased growth of these plants?" This problem becomes the starting point for a scientific inquiry.
2. Observations
Scientists make observations about the problem. They use five senses for making observation. They also read and study the previous researches on the same or related problems. Observations may be qualitative or quantitative.
Qualitative observations involve observations that cannot be measured with numbers. For example, the colour and texture of a flower.
Quantitative observations involve measurements or numerical data that can be expressed in terms of quantity. For example, the number of birds in a tree. Quantitative observations are more accurate than qualitative because quantitative observations are invariable, measurable and can be recorded in terms of numbers.
3. Hypothesis
On the basis of observations, scientists develop a statement that may prove the answer of the scientific problem under study. Such tentative answer of scientific problem is called hypothesis. Scientists make many hypotheses for a single problem. A hypothesis has the following characteristics:
Information is also gathered by reading books. It helps to understand existing knowledge and formulate a hypothesis.