The Scientific Method (Science)

Ahhh... a new year. A fresh start. A clean slate! There's nothing like New Year's Day, and having an entire limitless year stretched out before you. Of course that feeling is fleeting, because like all moms, I immediately start thinking of all the things that need to be accomplished during the next twelve months. Suddenly, I'm not sure how it will all get squeezed in.

What I need is a plan. Some kind of method to the madness. Luckily for me, those enterprising scientists came up with just such a method that can be applied to problems and challenges of all sorts! That's right, "The Scientific Method."

Now, this particular method may not have been invented for the purpose of tackling problems of childrearing and motherhood -- but that hasn't stopped it from working quite well in that environment. But what exactly is The Scientific Method?

In short, The Scientific Method is a means to investigate observations and solve problems. When facing a question of some sort, it is a systematic approach to develop an explanation or solution, and then determine if that explanation or solution is correct. It is comprised of six steps which are designed to get at the truth, regardless of what you think or may want the solution to be. That's pure science!

The steps are:

1. Define the problem or observation.
2. Gather information.
3. Form a hypothesis, or possible solution to the problem or explanation for the observation.
4. Use the hypothesis to make predictions.
5. Test those predictions by conducting an experiment or making futher observations, and modify the hypothesis as needed based on your results
6. Repeat steps 3-5 until there are no discrepancies between the hypothesis and the results of the experiment and/or observation.

Forming a hypothesis? Performing experiments? Surely moms are too busy to use this complicated method! Actually, we use it all the time without realizing it. Here's an example that may have even taken place in your house today:

All is peaceful in your household, and then suddenly your sweet and adorable baby that was so contentedly playing with his feet mere minutes before, begins to cry.

1. Define the problem: Junior is unhappy! He needs something... but what?

2. Gather information: A quick scan confirms that Junior doesn't have a bump or bruise, so it doesn't appear he has hurt himself. Your eyes flick to the clock and you quickly calculate that it's been about two hours since he's woken up and been changed, and about an hour since he's eaten.

3. Form a hypothesis: Two hours since a diaper change! He must be wet or dirty and that's why he's crying.

4. Make a prediction: If you change his diaper, he'll be a happy little boy again!

5. Test the prediction: You take him to the changing table, strip him down to his nappy... but he's perfectly clean and dry! So that's not the problem. What else could it be?

3. Modify the hypothesis: Junior has quite an appetite. He's hungry again, and that's why he's crying.

4. Make a new prediction: If you feed him a bottle, he'll be a happy little boy again!

5. Test the prediction: You bring him a bottle, and he grabs it hungerly from you. He sucks it down in record time, and rewards you with a happy and contented burb.

6. Results support hypothesis: You were right! Junior was hungry. Look at you, juggling motherhood and advanced scientific concepts at the same time!