The first method in this process is observation. Pay close attention to the natural world. This method requires the uses of your five senses and your intuition as a scientist. Is there a problem in the natural world that you think can be solved? Is there a remarkable behavior you have seen with plants or animals? This method requires you to be inquisitive. Ask questions, perform fieldwork, observe nature with a curious and objective eye, and keep a list of observations. The goal of this method is to find a problem that can be solved or to discover a natural phenomenon whose cause can be proved.
The second method requires you to contrive a meaning for your observation. The purpose of this method is to predict the outcome of an experiment you will perform. The outcome should be designed as a causal mechanism or mathematical relationship. If you were thorough in the first step, you have discovered a unique pattern or problem in the natural world. Now you will develop a hypothesis about your observation and empirically prove it. Brainstorm some ideas about how you can test and prove your hypothesis.
With this method, you want to focus on the meaning of your observation and the applications of your hypothesis. A good hypothesis can be tested by multiple experiments to reveal identical results. With this method, you will scrutinize your hypothesis to discern its useful application. The purpose you assign should have universal meaning. This method is critical, because good observations and a solid hypotheses need to have relevant, applicable ideas in the context of modern science.
Using the last method in this process, you will design an experiment that can prove your hypothesis. Ideally, you will design multiple experiments. If you can attain identical results with several experiments, it will lend substantial credibility to your research. One of the most important rules involving this method is that your experiment is repeatable. A scientific experiment that is not repeatable will likely be shunned by the scientific community. Set up an experiment with independent variables, dependent variables and a control group. Record your data carefully. The aim here is to prove your hypothesis. If you can do so, your hypothesis will become a theory. As a theory, it can be included in the annals of mainstream science.