Science is a problem-solving process that is used to answer questions. The scientific method is used by those doing science, whether they be lab, field, or mad scientists.

The following are the general steps taken when using the scientific method:

Making Observations: Observations are made of natural phenomena.

Asking Questions: The observation of an interesting phenomena will lead to asking a question. After asking your question, it is essential to check what is already known. This could aid you in further developing your question, help you determine how to answer it, or even give you an answer to your question and lead to a follow up question.

Hypothesizing: Reason and creativity will lead to the development of a hypothesis, a proposed explanation for the natural phenomena. The hypothesis must be both testable and falsifiable. Predictions will be made based on the hypothesis.

Experimentation: An experiment will be set-up and conducted in order to test predictions and determine if the hypothesis is supported.

Data Analysis: The data from the experiment will be analyzed, often statistically, and the hypothesis will either be supported or rejected.

Report and Repeat: After drawing a conclusion, scientists will share their results with the scientific community. Others can critique or build-on the experiment with their own thoughts or experiments. The scientist or other scientists can repeat the experiment on their own to confirm the results.

There are several common things that go into an experiment.

Typically, an experiment will be set up in order to test the effect of one particular variable on a given phenomenon. The variable that is being changed in the experimental setup is the independent variable - its change does not depend on another variable. The effect that is being measured is the dependent variable - its change does depend on another variable, the independent variable. Everything else should be as controlled as possible. Controlled variables, or constants, are the other factors that should be kept the same between each trial and experimental group in order to ensure that the observed differences are due to the independent variable and not another factor.

Experiments often involve parallel experiments that are used for comparison. The experimental setup has the independent variable altered systematically. The control setup, on the other hand, is used as a point of comparison. There are two types of controls, positive and negative. Positive controls are a group where a known response is expected. Negative controls are a group where no response is expected. Not every experiment will have a control group, such as in observational studies or within-subjects design experiments, however, it is typically best to include one when possible to increase the validity of the results.

Thoroughly tested hypotheses can contribute to the formation of a scientific theory or a scientific law.

Scientific Theories are in-depth explanations of natural phenomena. They are the "why" or the "how" of the phenomena.

Scientific Laws are descriptions of the natural phenomena. They are what happens for it, and are often (but not always) mathematical.

Both are backed up by repeated experiments and a lot of evidence. One is not better than the other, they just address different aspects of the phenomena.