What is the systematic way to investigate and test scientific hypotheses?

The scientific method is the systematic process used to investigate and test scientific hypotheses. This method involves several key steps: observing phenomena, forming a hypothesis, conducting experiments to test that hypothesis, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions based on the results. The structure of the scientific method allows for consistency, repeatability, and objectivity in research, making it a fundamental approach in scientific inquiry.

Using the scientific method enables scientists to build on existing knowledge, refine their hypotheses based on empirical evidence, and ensure that their findings can be verified by others. This process is critical in developing scientific theories that explain natural phenomena, as these theories are built on a foundation of tested hypotheses and accumulated evidence. Other choices, such as scientific theory, scientific hypothesis, and scientific observation, represent different aspects of scientific inquiry rather than the comprehensive procedure used to explore hypotheses.