What foundational scientific principle involves making observations and forming a hypothesis?

The foundational scientific principle that involves making observations and forming a hypothesis is known as the Scientific Method. This method is a systematic approach that scientists use to investigate phenomena, acquire new knowledge, or correct and integrate previous knowledge.

At the outset, the Scientific Method begins with observations—carefully noting and reporting what is witnessed in the natural world. These observations lead to questions about why or how something occurs. From these questions, hypotheses are formulated, which are educated guesses or predictions that can be tested through experiments or additional observations. This method is iterative, meaning that based on the results of experiments, hypotheses may be revised or refined, contributing to further observations and new hypotheses.

The other options, while related to scientific inquiry, do not specifically encapsulate the process of making observations and forming hypotheses. Experimental Design refers to the planning of an experiment to ensure that results are valid and replicable, Theory Development involves creating broader explanations based on many tested hypotheses, and Analytical Thinking encompasses the skills needed to evaluate information and reason logically but does not specifically detail the observations and hypothesis formulation process.