method, scientific

n. A process of investigation guided by the basic principles of skepticism and open-mindedness in which observations are used to n. A process of investigation guided by the basic principles of skepticism and open-mindedness in which observations are used to generate testable theories which both account for previous observations and predict future observations. These hypotheses are then tested by further systematic observations, and the accuracy of the predictions is determined. These results are then used to generate further theories which can be tested, and the cycle is repeated as needed within a given area.