First step of the scientific method?

• A. Form a hypothesis
• B. State the problem/Ask a question
• C. Conduct an experiment
• D. Analyze data

Answer: (B)

The first step is identifying the question or problem you want to answer. Having a clear question sets the purpose of the investigation and tells you what you’re trying to learn, what observations to make, and what data will matter. With a well-defined question, you can gather relevant information and start thinking about possible explanations. After you’ve stated the problem, you typically move on to formulating a hypothesis to test, then design and perform experiments, and finally analyze the data to see if the results support your idea. Without a defined question, the subsequent steps lack direction, so starting with stating the problem or asking a question is essential.