Daniel Calderon
SCI 110 Intro to Physical Science
Strayer University
Dr. Jack Crawford 03/09/2015

Scientific Method
The scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments. The steps of the scientific method are to: 1. Ask a question 2. Do background research 3.Construct a hypothesis. 4.Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment 5. Analyze your data and draw a conclusion.
It is important for your experiment to be a fair test. A "fair test" occurs when you change only one factor (variable) and keep all other conditions the same. While scientists study how nature works, engineers create new things, such as products, websites, environments, and experiences.

Hypothesis
For my job as a police officer we do follow a similar course of action with the scientific method. I will break it down following the similar steps we use. In my example I will process a simple shoplifting to make it easier to understand. The first step would be to ask the question did the suspect shoplift. The second step do background research would consist of reviewing the video of the crime and determine if the suspect meet the requirements for the shoplifting. Did the suspect take an item, conceal it and then not render payment for the item? If the suspect did all three on video then you can use that as evidence. You can get eyewitness testimony from the loss prevention personnel and or others that witnessed the suspect select an item, conceal it and then walk past the point of sale without rendering payment. The third step construct a hypothesis, in this step your suspect was recorded on video tape taking the item and walking out without paying.
So your hypothesis is the suspect took the item without payment. The fourth step is to test your hypothesis, this step would actually be done by the prosecutor or defense