Final answer:
The statement about the boiling points of water and ethanol is an observation in the scientific method, which describes a detectable phenomenon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Water boils at a higher temperature than ethanol." belongs to the step of observation in the scientific method. An observation is a statement that describes a phenomenon which can be seen, measured, or detected in some way. The scientific method begins with observations, which can then lead to a question and a hypothesis that can be tested through experimentation.