The scientific method is the process by which scientists collectively over time construct an accurate, representation of the world (Appendix). The first step is to observe and describe some phenomenon which is of interest. Next, a hypothesis is developed to explain the phenomenon. In the third step, the hypothesis is used to make predictions about new phenomena or the results of these new phenomena. Fourthly, these predictions are tested by experimentation or further observation. Steps three and four are then repeated until consistent results are obtained. This often involves several different experimenters studying the same phenomena. Then the hypothesis can either be accepted or rejected, depending on whether the experimental results/observations agree with the stated hypothesis.
In the case of why the grass around one house is brown, short and dead, while that around a neighboring house is green, tall and alive, the difference in the grass on the two lawns is the observation - scientific method Step 1. The hypothesis could be made that the grass at the first house is brown, short and dead because it has not been watered sufficiently in the dry summer months - scientific method Step 2 (Taylor). To test this hypothesis, a portion of the lawn should be divided into two sections. One section should be watered every day for one month and the other should only be watered once a week for one month. The grass should be observed every few days for changes in appearance. At the end of the one month period, it will be obvious if the extra watering has made a difference to the grass - scientific method Step 3.
If the daily watering has made a differences, and the grass which was watered daily has grown much greener, taller and is alive and that which has been watered only once a week shows little, if any, change, then it appears that the grass was brown, short and dead because it did not receive sufficient water for its ...