Final answer:
The next step after identifying a research topic is to formulate a hypothesis, which is a testable tentative explanation based on scientific knowledge and observations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Once a research topic or problem has been clearly identified, the next step in the research process is formulating a hypothesis. A hypothesis is essentially a tentative explanation for the observations, which can be systematically tested through scientific methods. This hypothesis is based on scientific knowledge, should be logical, and must be capable of being falsified through observations or experiments. For example, a researcher observing the periodic light and darkness patterns could formulate a hypothesis that this phenomenon corresponds to the movements of celestial bodies such as the sun and moon.
After the hypothesis is formulated, further steps include designing and performing controlled experiments to test its validity. The experiment's conditions should be controlled, altering only the variables of interest to assess the impact on the outcome. If the hypothesis is supported by the data, it may be considered valid; otherwise, it could lead to the development of a new hypothesis.