What general process do scientists use to ask and answer questions about nature?

• A. Scientific Inquiry
• B. Inductive Reasoning
• C. Deductive Reasoning
• D. Theory

Answer: (A)

Scientific inquiry is the general process scientists use to ask and answer questions about nature. It begins with careful observation and questions, then a testable hypothesis is formed. Scientists design experiments or collect data to test the hypothesis, control variables, and analyze the results to draw conclusions. The findings are shared and may lead to revised ideas and further testing. This approach is iterative and evidence-based, and it can involve both qualitative and quantitative information. Within this process, inductive reasoning (moving from specific observations to general ideas) and deductive reasoning (applying general principles to specific predictions) are common tools, while a theory is a well-supported explanation that emerges after many inquiries, not the process itself.