Scientists are like explorers,

Using what they know and see

To blaze a trail that, step by step, 

Will lead to new discoveries:

Formulate, distill and focus,

Narrow down, define the gist,

Determine scope and pinpoint focus-

This is your hypothesis.

Gather all the stuff you need, 

To put in play the machinations,

Document the happenings-

These comprise your observations.

What things change and what things stick?

Record the outcomes and effects, 

Don’t presume and don’t predict-

Collect the data; just the facts.

Combine the concrete things you see

With what you know and trials you test.

Interpretation is the key-

Results are where you end the quest.

-Susan Blackaby-