Final answer:
The scientific method is a systematic and cyclical approach to inquiry that is self-correcting. It involves hypothesis testing, experimentation, and modification based on evidence, enabling science to evolve with new findings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scientific method is a systematic approach used to investigate phenomena, acquire new knowledge, or correct and integrate previous knowledge. It is self-correcting because it involves continuous observation, hypothesis formulation, experimenting, and modification based on empirical evidence.
This cyclical process of inquiry ensures that science remains dynamic, adapting to new findings and discarding theories that do not hold up under scrutiny. The repetitiveness of the cycle fosters a deepening understanding of the subject matter as hypotheses are tested, results are analyzed, and conclusions are drawn and re-evaluated in the light of new evidence or perspectives.