What does it mean in the scientific method that the second step is research? I need to write up the 5 steps of scientific method explaining my experiment-how do i do research?

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_background_research_plan.shtml

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml

so I need to search the internet for why my experiment works? because I already came across these two sites and they did not help.

What question are you trying to answer?

not a specific question but I have to make a poster with my experiment-balloon, baking soda and vinegar each step of the scientific method. but stuck on research.

You can research the reaction of an acid and a base.

thank you-would this be correct

Vinegar with Baking Soda mixed together creates an acid-base, making a gas. The gas pushes up into a balloon and causing the balloon to blow up.

Great!

thanks a lot.

You're welcome.

In the scientific method, the second step is research, which involves gathering information about the topic or question you are investigating. Research helps you gain a deeper understanding of the subject, identify existing knowledge, and learn from previous studies or experiments conducted by others. By conducting research, you can build upon the existing knowledge and design your own experiment accordingly.

To conduct research for your scientific method experiment, you can follow these steps:

1. Define your research question: Clearly articulate the specific topic or aspect you want to investigate. It should be focused and answerable through scientific inquiry.

2. Begin with background research: Start by exploring general information about your topic using various sources such as textbooks, scientific journals, reputable websites, and encyclopedias. This will give you a broader understanding and help you identify key concepts and variables related to your research question.

3. Review existing studies or experiments: Look for published papers, articles, or studies that are relevant to your research question. Analyze and evaluate their methodologies, findings, limitations, and conclusions. This step will help you build upon previous work and identify gaps in knowledge that your experiment can address.

4. Use different research methods: Utilize both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather information. This can include interviewing experts, conducting surveys or questionnaires, observing phenomena, collecting and analyzing data, or running experiments. Choose methods that align with your research question and experiment.

5. Document and organize your findings: Keep detailed notes of the information you gather, including sources, references, and any relevant data. Order and structure your research findings so that they are easily accessible and can be referred to when designing and explaining your experiment.

Remember, research is an ongoing process, and scientists often revisit this step as they gain new insights or encounter new information. It is crucial to keep track of your sources and give credit to the original authors through proper citations to maintain scientific integrity.

By conducting research and documenting your findings, you will be well-prepared to explain the background, significance, and rationale for your experiment, which are essential components of the scientific method.