The scientific method is a standardized approach to empirical investigation. It involves the systematic observation, measurement, and experiment and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses. The method begins with a question. This could be anything from ‘Why is the sky blue?’ to ‘What causes disease?’. The next step is research. This deepens understanding of the topic and can help shape the hypothesis – an educated guess that can be tested. After the hypothesis is generated, an experiment is designed to test it, and data gathered from this experiment is analyzed using statistical methods. The data either supports the hypothesis or doesn’t. Either way, the scientific community is given a new piece of information to further build our understanding of the universe. The process is dynamic, often leading to more questions and hypotheses, continually expanding the frontiers of human knowledge.