scientific method

noun

: principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses

Examples of scientific method in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Visitors can also get interactive lessons in prehistoric life, evolution, the climate and biodiversity crises, conservation and scientific methods. —Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025

But our goal in all these regions has been to gauge the views of ordinary people, using independent research companies that employ robust social scientific methods. —Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2020

They are used to fully relying on data and scientific methods to be able to make confident decisions. —Jody L. Bickel, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Trying this out is part of coffee testing's scientific method, but the insistence on 175 degrees also read like marketing hokum. —Joe Ray, WIRED, 17 Dec. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scientific method

noun

: the rules and procedures for the pursuit of knowledge involving the finding and stating of a problem, the collection of facts through observation and experiment, and the making and testing of ideas that need to be proven right or wrong

Medical Definition

scientific method

noun

: principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses