How would you use the scientific method to answer the question of do mice live longer when they are fed high-sugar diets?

Answer 1

The scientific method is the process that scientists use to find out new information. It involves a question, a hypothesis, a prediction, collecting data, and analyzing that data to make a conclusion. How would you use the scientific method to answer this question: Do mice live longer when they are fed high-sugar diets?

Answer 2

You would need to make a study, or research to see if such studies have already been published in reliable sources. 1) The study would need a sufficiently large number of mice to be statistically significant. For example, five mice isn't enough, because of the relatively high chance of anomalies in such a small sample.

2) The study should have a control group of mice to which a normal low-sugar diet is given. Both groups of mice must have equal care and conditions.

3) The study should have proper supervision, review and record-keeping. If you merely announce results, you might not be taken seriously.

4) Ideally, the study should be double-blind, in which those who feed and handle the mice are not the ones who prepare the food, and do not know which mice have which diet. This helps eliminate the possibility of bias.