Populations of monarch butterflies have been declining for years. There is evidence of this phenomenon at prominent overwintering sites, such as the central coast of California, where tourists flock to see these butterflies. Arrange the steps of the scientific method as applied to understanding the decline of monarch butterflies from beginning to end. a. visiting a nature center and learning of the decline of monarch butterflies.
b. questioning whether butterflies are ingesting a poison that could be killing them.
c. hypothesizing that pesticide residues are the cause of the decline.
d. designing an experiment comparing mortality between butterfly populations with and without exposure to pesticides.
e. visiting a library to access peer-reviewed studies.
f. analyzing the data gathered from experimentation.

The correct order is:

a. visiting a nature center and learning of the decline of monarch butterflies.

b. questioning whether butterflies are ingesting a poison that could be killing them.

e. visiting a library to access peer-reviewed studies.

c. hypothesizing that pesticide residues are the cause of the decline.

d. designing an experiment comparing mortality between butterfly populations with and without exposure to pesticides.

f. analyzing the data gathered from experimentation.

Explanation:

The scientific method is a rigorous process consisting of a series of steps: 1-to raise a question about the real world, 2-to formulate a hypothesis, i.e., a proposed explanation whose verification enables to understand this question, 3- to make experiments or observations, 4- to analyze the data obtained from experimental and/or observational procedures, and finally, 5- to make a conclusion, thus confirming (or rejecting) the working hypothesis. The scientific method is used to collect well-supported information that allows to formulate postulates and theories, as well as to make predictions about a given phenomenon form the real world.