What Does “conclusion” Mean in Science?
A conclusion is the final process of the basic scientific method by which scientists reveal whether the hypothesis was proven correct, according to certified math and science teacher Patricia McNerney. The conclusion is one statement, backed up by data analysis, that supports or refutes the hypothesis. Conclusions may warrant further study by other scientists who recheck the original experiment.
Even if a scientist states in the conclusion that the hypothesis is incorrect in some way, other scientists may alter the original experiment based on the data and analysis. The Utah State Office of Education explains that the scientific method works when other scientists learn by attempting new hypotheses and new experiments.
Biology expert Regina Bailey from About.com reveals that the conclusion is the last step in the scientific method during a single experiment, posted after the results. The first portion of the scientific method involves making an observation, followed by asking a question, stating a hypothesis, performing an experiment, listing the results and then stating a conclusion. The experiment is further broken down into several steps including data collection by observing differences between a control group and an experimental group. Results are often plotted in charts or graphs that make them easier to read before scientists state a conclusion to the experiment.
