What is the first step of the scientific method?

The first step of the scientific method is recognizing the need for resolution. This initial stage involves identifying a problem or a question that requires exploration or explanation. In the context of fire investigation, this might mean determining the cause of a fire or identifying potential hazards.

Recognizing the need for resolution creates a foundation for the entire investigative process, as it sets the direction for future steps, such as forming a hypothesis, conducting experiments, and gathering data. By acknowledging the specific issue at hand, investigators can frame their inquiries and methodologies more effectively, ensuring that their subsequent actions are targeted and relevant.

This recognition is crucial because it leads to the formulation of hypotheses and the design of experiments or investigations that can provide the resolution sought. Without this first step, the scientific method would lack focus and purpose, making it difficult to proceed effectively through the later stages of experimenting and analyzing data.