A hypothesis is an attempt to answer which step of the scientific method?

A hypothesis is formulated during the step of defining the problem in the scientific method. This involves clearly identifying the issue at hand and proposing a tentative explanation or answer that can be tested through experimentation. When a scientist observes a phenomenon that raises questions, they reference this observation to articulate the problem they are investigating. The hypothesis provides a clear direction for the research, guiding the design of experiments that will ultimately seek to validate or refute that initial idea.

In this context, the hypothesis acts as a bridge between observing an event and conducting experiments based on that observation. It serves as a preliminary answer to the question raised in the problem definition, establishing a framework for data collection and analysis that follows. Thus, understanding the formulation of a hypothesis in relation to defining the problem is crucial in the scientific method.