Writing a Good Scientific Method

When it comes to writing a good scientific method, there are 3 things you must make sure you do.

1. Ensure that it is clear – with only 1 step in each number
2. Ensure that you use 3rd person
3. Ensure that you use past tense

The following example is a typical example of a scientific method produced by students. However, it violates the past tense requirement (most common flaw)

1. Place some of the distilled water into a 150mL beaker so that the nichrome loop can be completely submerged.
2. Place some of the hydrochloric acid into a 150mL beaker so that the nichrome loop can be completely submerged.
3. Clean the nichrome loop by placing it into the distilled water first, then into the hydrochloric acid.
4. Light the Bunsen burner and turn it to the blue flame.
5. Place the nichrome loop into the flame. When the flame returns to its normal blue colour, the nichrome loop is clean.
6. Place the nichrome loop into the solid copper sulfate and then place it into the blue Bunsen flame.
7. Record the colour of the flame.
8. Repeat steps 3–7 for each of the solid chemicals.

I have rewritten it:

Part 1: Cleaning the loop

1. A nichrome loop was dipped into distilled water such that it was fully submerged
2. The nichrome loop from above was then dipped into HCl until it was fully submerged
3. A bunsen was lit and turned to the blue flame
4. The loop was placed into the flame
5. The colour of the flame was observed. When the flame returned to it’s normal blue colour, the nichrome loop was considered clean

Part 2: Testing substances

6. The nichrome loop was fully submerged into solid copper sulphate
7. The nichrome loop was placed into the bunsen flame again
8. The colour of the flame was recorded
9. Repeat steps 1-8 for each of CuSO4, BaSO4, CaSO4