What occurs during the experimentation step of the scientific method?

During the experimentation step of the scientific method, an experiment is specifically conducted to test a hypothesis. This phase is critical as it allows researchers to systematically gather evidence, manipulate variables, and observe outcomes. By conducting experiments, researchers can determine whether their predictions about the relationships between variables hold true under controlled conditions. This direct testing of the hypothesis is essential for validating or refuting initial assumptions and is a foundational aspect of empirical research in psychology and other fields. The process involves designing the experiment, implementing it, and ensuring that results can be attributed to the manipulations made, all of which contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.