Which of the following is a main component of the scientific method taught to elementary students?

• A. Hypothesis
• B. Question/Problem, hypothesis, procedure, observation/data collection, analysis, conclusion, and communication of results
• C. Experimentation without planning
• D. Opinions

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is the complete sequence of steps students use when practicing the scientific method, from asking a question to sharing what they found. In elementary science, teachers present a simple, repeatable flow: a question or problem to investigate, a hypothesis or educated guess, a plan or procedure to test that guess, careful observations and data collection, analysis of what the data show, drawing a conclusion, and communicating the results. This structure helps students understand how to test ideas fairly and systematically, using evidence to support what they claim.

Why this full sequence is the best fit: it covers both thinking and doing, guiding students to base conclusions on evidence collected during the investigation. Each step builds on the previous one—questions prompt hypotheses, the procedure ensures a fair and repeatable test, observations gather real data, analysis interprets those data, and the conclusion states what was learned and why, followed by sharing the findings.

The other options don’t fit as well because a single element like a hypothesis doesn’t include planning, data collection, analysis, and communication; planning without execution misses the actual testing; and opinions are not grounded in evidence or systematic investigation.