Which of the following statements best explains the relationship between the question and hypothesis steps in the scientific method?

• A. The hypothesis is always formed before the research question is identified.
• B. The question identifies what is being investigated, while the hypothesis proposes a possible explanation or prediction.
• C. Both the question and hypothesis are the same and serve identical purposes in scientific inquiry.
• D. The question step involves collecting data, while the hypothesis step involves analyzing results.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the scientific method, which is a systematic process used to investigate phenomena, acquire new knowledge, or correct and integrate previous knowledge.
2. Step 2: Clarify the role of the research question in the scientific method. The research question identifies the specific problem or phenomenon being investigated. It serves as the foundation for the inquiry and guides the direction of the study.
3. Step 3: Define the hypothesis step. A hypothesis is a testable statement or prediction that provides a possible explanation for the research question. It is formulated based on prior knowledge, observations, or theoretical understanding.
4. Step 4: Compare the roles of the question and hypothesis. The question focuses on identifying what is being studied, while the hypothesis proposes a potential answer or explanation that can be tested through experimentation or observation.
5. Step 5: Eliminate incorrect options by analyzing their descriptions. For example, the hypothesis is not formed before the research question, nor are the question and hypothesis identical in purpose. Additionally, the question step does not involve collecting data, and the hypothesis step does not involve analyzing results. The correct explanation is that the question identifies what is being investigated, while the hypothesis proposes a possible explanation or prediction.