Final answer:
Investigators start by observing phenomena and reviewing scientific literature, use prior knowledge to infer a logical explanation, and then formulate a testable hypothesis based on objective reasoning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before forming a hypothesis, investigators go through several steps:
- Make observations of natural phenomena, which includes reviewing previous scientific research. Observations lead to questions about the natural world.
- Use prior knowledge and gather information from research to infer and propose a hypothesis. This should be a logical explanation that can be tested.
- Draw on previous studies and use current observations to formulate a testable hypothesis, which serves as a tentative explanation for the observations.
A hypothesis must be based on objectivity and reason and stated in a way that allows it to be easily tested. Predictions are made based on this tentative explanation, which are later evaluated through experimentation.