Which sequence best describes the Scientific Method?

Which sequence best describes the Scientific Method?

• A. Observation, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion
• B. Experiment, question, hypothesis, conclusion
• C. Question, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion
• D. Question, experiment, conclusion, hypothesis

Answer: (C)

Starting with a question derived from observations is the natural first move, because it identifies what you are trying to understand or test. From there, forging a hypothesis gives you a specific, testable prediction to evaluate. Designing and conducting an experiment then provides concrete data to test that prediction, and the final step is drawing a conclusion based on what the results show. This flow keeps the investigation focused and testable: you move from a problem to a concrete statement to be tested, and then to evidence-based judgment about whether the hypothesis was supported. Starting with an experiment before you have a question (or a hypothesis) isn’t guided by a clear problem to solve, and ending with a conclusion after an unformed hypothesis makes the reasoning circular. Some real-world scientists also include an observation step before the question, and they may iterate—refining the question or forming a new hypothesis based on what they learn—but the described sequence captures the logical progression of testing ideas.

Starting with a question derived from observations is the natural first move, because it identifies what you are trying to understand or test. From there, forging a hypothesis gives you a specific, testable prediction to evaluate. Designing and conducting an experiment then provides concrete data to test that prediction, and the final step is drawing a conclusion based on what the results show. This flow keeps the investigation focused and testable: you move from a problem to a concrete statement to be tested, and then to evidence-based judgment about whether the hypothesis was supported.

Starting with an experiment before you have a question (or a hypothesis) isn’t guided by a clear problem to solve, and ending with a conclusion after an unformed hypothesis makes the reasoning circular. Some real-world scientists also include an observation step before the question, and they may iterate—refining the question or forming a new hypothesis based on what they learn—but the described sequence captures the logical progression of testing ideas.