Six stages of a scientific method

The Scientific method consists of six stages. These steps are research question identification, literature review, hypothesis formulation, variables operationalization, data collection, data analysis and testing of hypothesis.


Research question identification
It is the initial stage of a scientific method. The researcher may have several questions about a topic. However, not all these questions can result in scientific research. Researcher should choose research questions that can sufficiently provide information about the researcher’s topic of interest.



Literature review 
This the second stage of a scientific method. Researchers have to inform themselves satisfactorily. They can only achieve this by examining relevant literature related to their topics of interest. This stage helps the researcher to learn more from already known information about interest topics. Furthermore, it aids them in coming up with new research questions.


Hypothesis formulation
This is the third step of a scientific research method. The hypothesis is defined as an educated guess or a tentative proposal about the findings of a research investigation. Hypothesis always tries to answer questions about the relationship between two variables. A variable is a measurement of an event, for instance, a frequency of disease prevalent.


Variable operationalization 
It is the fourth stage of a scientific method. It involves variable specification, how they are going to be determined (measured). There are various ways of measuring variables. Therefore, a researcher must clearly state how this will be achieved.


Data collection
It is the fifth step in a scientific method. It encompasses the use of several data collection methods such as direct observation, case studies, experimental research and research survey.


Data analysis and testing of hypothesis 
It is the last stage of a scientific research method. Data are analyzed to test the hypothesis. Data are analyzed to indicate the relationship between variables or to show one condition leads to the occurrence of another. There are several statistical methods available for data analysis. The use of these statistical methods of analysis depends on specific research. Hence, a researcher must use appropriate statistical methods to analyze the data.