Observation, question and hypothesis

Observe carefully before asking questions

To observe is to look closely at a phenomenon, noting all relevant details: colour, size, duration, movement… A good observation is precise and objective, without any immediate interpretation.

Ask a specific question

Based on your observation, formulate a clear question, for example: “Does the temperature of the water affect the rate at which an ice cube melts?” A question that is too vague, such as “Why do things change?”, cannot be easily tested.

Formulate a testable hypothesis

A hypothesis is a provisional answer to the question, which must be verifiable through experimentation. Example: “The warmer the water, the faster the ice cube melts.” A good hypothesis links a cause and an effect.

Complete example

Observation: the ice cube melts faster in a glass left in the sun. Question: does light or heat affect the melting process? Hypothesis: heat accelerates the melting of the ice cube.

Pitfall to avoid

Do not confuse a hypothesis with certainty. A hypothesis is neither true nor false to begin with: it is the experiment itself that will confirm or refute it.