During which step of the scientific method is data collected?

Data collection occurs during the conducting an experiment phase of the scientific method. This is a crucial step where hypotheses are tested by observing the outcomes of a controlled experiment. When conducting the experiment, researchers gather quantitative and qualitative data that will help them understand the relationship between variables and determine whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted.

The experiment is designed to be systematic and repeatable, ensuring that the data collected is reliable and valid. This step is essential since the subsequent analysis of this data will inform conclusions and potentially lead to further questions or hypotheses. Other steps, such as formulating hypotheses, asking questions, and making observations, are important for the development of the experiment but do not involve the active collection of data related to the testing of the hypothesis.