Final answer:
The scientific method is the scientific approach used to comprehend the natural world, starting from observations to forming hypotheses and conducting experiments to test these hypotheses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scientific approach used to investigate and understand the natural world is called the scientific method. This method begins with observations and questions, which lead to a hypothesis that can be tested through experiments. It is a systematic and logical approach, employing both inductive and deductive reasoning, to gain knowledge based on evidence and to develop scientific laws and theories. The sciences, including biology, physics, and chemistry, all make use of this distinctive method to produce facts, understand natural phenomena, and formulate laws and theories that are subject to revision and peer review. The main purpose of science, whether it is basic or applied, is to expand knowledge and solve practical problems, integrating an ethical framework to ensure sustainability and environmental justice.