n.The scientific method is a series of steps scientists take to acquire, test, and describe the natural world.
Step 1: Ask questions in the form of a hypothesis
Zoological research centers around topics such as how animals develop, reproduce, behave, interact, evolve, and influence their environment. To learn about these subject areas, a scientist poses a question in the form of a hypothesis—a carefully-constructed, working explanation of a natural process.
Step 2: Look for patterns in observations
On its simplest level, zoological research centers around topics such as how animals develop, reproduce, behave, interact, evolve, and influence their environment. To learn about these subject areas, a scientist poses a question in the form of a hypothesis--a carefully-constructed, working explanation of a natural process.
Step 3: Formulate a theory
With observations of the natural world in hand, a scientist then adjusts his/her hypothesis and plans future experiments. After repeated experimentation and adjustment, a set of hypotheses emerge as a theory--a more formal set of assumptions put forth to explain observations and natural phenomena.
Step 4: Design experiments to test theory
Theory, even after repeated testing, remains subject to continued refinement, adjustment, and revision. Without such scrutiny, scientific advancement would falter. The heart of scientific study lies with our willingness to adapt our understanding to our best knowledge of the world around us.
Scientific Investigation
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