Two scientists observe a plant growing without any water added to the soil. doctor zappa hypothesizes that this type of plant gets its water from the atmosphere. doctor hendrix disagrees, claiming that the plant saves water in its roots so it can survive time of drought.

what does this situation demonstrate about the formation of scientific knowledge?

Formation of a hypothesis.

Research method is always used to answer every scientific inquiry and in gaining evidential data or knowledge. The scientific method has the following process or at least undergoes the process of
1. Observation 
2. Hypothesis 
3. Experimentation 
4. Interpretation of data 
5. Evaluating the data 
6. Passing and recording the data 

These steps are crucial and the empirical data that these scientists obtain are very important to keep that is why research paper, thesis and dissertations exists.