Final answer:
Big scientific discoveries often start with observations, leading to the formulation of a hypothesis that can be tested through scientific investigation using the scientific method.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Process of Scientific Discovery
The process of scientific discovery often starts with an observation. These initial observations may lead to questions about the natural world. For instance, noticing that a classroom is too warm is an observation that could lead to a scientific investigation. After making such observations, a scientist or student may formulate a hypothesis, which is essentially an educated guess or a tentative explanation for the observations. It's an essential step because it transforms a general question or observation into something that can be tested scientifically.
The scientific method is a systematic approach to research and includes several steps. These steps start with observations, followed by the formulation of a hypothesis, which is then tested through experiments. Data collected from these experiments can either confirm or refute the hypothesis. A confirmed hypothesis through repeated experiments may contribute to scientific laws, and a comprehensive explanation of findings may become a recognized theory. Therefore, in the context of the student's question, the correct answer is (c) Observations.