• Orientation of Human Anatomy
• Cardiovascular System
• Respiratory System
• Nervous System
• Digestive System
• Skeletal System
• Muscular System
• Endocrine System
• Immune System
• Integumentary System
• Urinary System
• Reproductive System

• The Cell
• Macromolecules
• Cell Division
• DNA, RNA & Genetics
• Classification & Microorganisms

• Atomic Structure
• Chemical Bonds
• States of Matter
• Solutions, Acids and Bases
• Chemical Reactions

• The Scientific Method
• Variables
• Hypotheses, Theories & Laws
• Reliability & Validity
• Interpreting Data
• Measurement & Tools

Next: English Study Guide

TEAS® Science Study Guide

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is the step-by-step process used to investigate a question.

The steps

1. Observation / question — Notice something and ask why.
2. Hypothesis — Propose a testable explanation.
3. Experiment — Test the hypothesis under controlled conditions.
4. Collect and analyze data — Record results and look for patterns.
5. Conclusion — Decide whether the data support the hypothesis.

It’s not strictly one-way. If the data don’t support the hypothesis, a scientist revises it and tests again — the process loops.

The golden rule of a good experiment: change one variable at a time. If you change two things at once and the result shifts, you can’t tell which change caused it.

Terms to know

• Hypothesis — A testable, proposed explanation.
• Experiment — A controlled test of a hypothesis.
• Conclusion — A judgment about whether the data support the hypothesis.

What the TEAS asks most

• What comes right after forming a hypothesis? Testing it with an experiment.
• How many variables should change in a well-designed experiment? One.
• What does a scientist do if the data don’t support the hypothesis? Revise it and test again.

The Scientific Method Review Quiz