Question

The way scientists try to understand things that happened in nature by examining it is called ________?

1) Observation
2) Experimentation
3) Inference
4) Analysis

Answer 1

The method scientists use to understand natural occurrences by examining them is through observation, the first step in the scientific method, which is underpinned by a systematic approach including observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and analysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The way scientists try to understand things that happened in nature by examining it is through a process called the scientific method. This method consists of several steps:

1. First, scientists observe natural phenomena. This could include witnessing an event, noting something in nature, or examining scientific literature.
2. Based on these observations, scientists then infer and propose hypotheses. A good hypothesis is testable and often framed as an if/then statement.
3. Next comes the experimentation phase, where scientists design and perform experiments to test the hypotheses, gathering measurable data.
4. Finally, the scientists analyze this data through analysis, to determine whether it supports or refutes the hypothesis.

This systematic approach encompasses several different activities that scientists engage in, including observation, inference, experimentation, and analysis. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is observation (Option 1), as it is the initial step where scientists begin their inquiry into natural phenomena.