Skip to Main Content

Nursing Students' Guide to Evidence Based Research: Six Steps of the Scientific Method

Resources for Nursing Students

Six Steps of the Scientific Method

The infographic shows six small circles arranged in a larger circle. In the center is the image of a scientist. The cycle begins with step 1, and arrows indicate the progress from one step to another. Each circle represents one of six steps, and contains text. As the circle closes between step six and step 1, the process continues into a new cycle. Here is the text from each of the circles. Step 1: Literature Review: The scientist conducts a literature review, reading what has been published in major scientific journals on the subject of interest. Step 2. Testable hypothesis, operationally designed: the scientist makes a testable hypothesis, or a specific prediction about how one factor, or variable, is related to another. To be scientifically testable, the variables must be operationally defined – that is, stated precisely and in measurable terms. Step 3. Research design: The scientist chooses the best research design to test the hypothesis and collect the data. She might choose naturalistic design, case studies, surveys, experiments, or other methods. Step 4. Statistical Analysis: The scientist performs statistical analyses on the new data to determine whether the findings support or reject here hypothesis. This allows her to organize, summarize, and interpret the numerical data. Step 5. The scientist writes up the study and its results, and submits it to a peer-reviewed journal. [Peer reviewed journals ask other scientists to evaluate the submitted material.] On the basis of these peer reviews, the study may then be accepted for publication. Step 6. Theory: After one or more studies on a subject, researchers generally advance a theory to explain their results. This theory then leads to new (possibly different) hypotheses and new methods of inquiry.