A student wants to know which part of his local beach contains the most turtle nests during nesting season. He makes a prediction to investigate based on his observations and plans his experiment. He performs the experiment to collect data. Once his experiment is completed, he gathers his evidence and analyzes it to form a conclusion. What part of the scientific method is he missing from this investigation? Ask a question. Construct a hypothesis. Do background research. Analyze the evidence.

Construct a hypothesis

Explanation:

The scientific method is a step by step procedure followed in order to solve a scientific problem or answer a scientific question. The steps of the scientific method include:

- Making an observation

- Asking a question

- Doing background research

- Formulating an hypothesis

- Testing the hypothesis

- Analysing the result

- Conclusion

Based on the steps above, the student performing the investigation did not do a CONSTRUCT A HYPOTHESIS based on the prior information he/she has. Hypothesis is a testable explanation to a given problem or an asked question. The student failed to CONSTRUCT THE HYPOTHESIS, which is necessary to know whether or not to accept the results obtained.