Pattern Seeking

Formulating Questions: Ability to identify research questions, distinguish between scientific and non-scientific questions.

Hypothesis Development: Creating testable hypotheses, identifying independent and dependent variables, and controlling variables.

Experimental Design: Planning and conducting controlled experiments, collecting and recording data accurately.

The pattern seeking method involves observing and recording natural events or carrying out experiments where the variables cannot easily be controlled.

In pattern seeking, it is still important to note and record variables. The investigator needs to try to identify patterns that result from these variables.

This method is well suited to system sciences like geology, astronomy, ecology, or meteorology.

Once a pattern has been observed, this may lead to other investigations where you explore why a particular pattern occurs and classify and identify the system.

Pattern seeking contributes to creating models to explain observations, for example, to explain the phases of the moon.