What is the first step a scientist should take after observing changes in insect population during different weather conditions?

The first step a scientist should take after observing changes in insect populations during different weather conditions is to develop a hypothesis. This step is crucial because a hypothesis represents an educated guess or a testable prediction based on the initial observations. In this context, the scientist is looking to explain why insect population changes occur as a result of varying weather conditions. By formulating a hypothesis, the scientist creates a basis for further investigation, allowing them to design experiments or additional studies to test whether their proposed explanation holds true.

While collecting more data and making more observations are important parts of the scientific process, they typically occur subsequent to formulating a hypothesis. Testing the hypothesis likewise follows this initial step, as the scientist will want to investigate the validity of their predictions before drawing any conclusions. Developing a hypothesis is foundational for guiding the direction of future research and understanding phenomena in a structured and scientific way.