What is the systematic approach to research that includes hypothesis formulation and experimentation?

The scientific method is a systematic approach to research that involves several key steps, including observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and analysis. This methodology is foundational in scientific inquiry, allowing researchers to formulate predictions (hypotheses) based on observations, design rigorous experiments to test these predictions, and draw conclusions based on empirical evidence.

In practice, the scientific method begins with observations that lead to questions about the natural world. Researchers then propose hypotheses, which are testable statements that can be confirmed or refuted through experimentation. The experimentation phase involves carefully designed studies to collect data, followed by analysis of the results to determine if they support or contradict the original hypothesis. This cyclical process encourages ongoing inquiry and refinement of theories based on new evidence, thus driving scientific knowledge forward.

The other options do not capture the complete essence of this methodical approach. For instance, a research framework refers more broadly to the overall structure guiding research, while the observation technique focuses solely on the act of gathering information. Data analysis methods, meanwhile, pertain specifically to the treatment of data after it has been collected, lacking the integrative role of hypothesis testing and experimentation inherent in the scientific method.