The description you provided refers to the scientific method. It is a systematic and methodical activity of building and organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves through observation, experimentation, or both. This method involves a structured approach to inquiry that includes making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions
. Key characteristics of the scientific method include:
- Systematic and structured approach: The investigation follows clearly defined steps and procedures to ensure coherence and replicability
- Empirical observation: Knowledge is based on objective, measurable, and observable phenomena
- Experimentation and testing: Hypotheses are tested through designed experiments or observational studies to validate or refute them
- Objectivity: Researchers strive to minimize bias and maintain impartiality in their investigations
- Reproducibility: Experiments and observations should be replicable by others to confirm findings
- Falsifiability: Hypotheses must be testable and capable of being proven false, which is essential for scientific rigor
- Iterative process: Scientific knowledge evolves by revising hypotheses or theories based on new evidence
Overall, the scientific method is the foundation for acquiring reliable knowledge about the natural world and underpins scientific disciplines by providing a logical, evidence-based framework for discovery and understanding
