Final Answer:
After observation, the next step in scientific inquiry usually is to hypothesize and predict.
Step-by-step explanation:
Following observation in the scientific method, the next steps involve forming a hypothesis and making predictions. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation based on the observations made. It's a statement that can be tested through further experimentation.
Hypothesizing involves proposing a possible answer to the observed phenomenon. It guides the scientist's investigation and sets the stage for testing through experimentation. Once a hypothesis is established, predictions are made to foresee the expected outcomes if the hypothesis is correct.
In summary, after making careful observations, scientists proceed to form a hypothesis—an educated guess—and make predictions that can be tested through experiments to validate or refute the hypothesis.