"A systematic form of inquiry that involves observation, speculation, and formulation and testing of hypotheses"
(American Meteorological Society)

"the means of science by which phenomena are observed, hypotheses are tested, and conclusions are drawn"
(University of Oragon, Anthropology 150)

"a method of investigation involving observation and theory to test scientific hypotheses"
(Wordnet, princeton)

"An inefficient but highly successful method of knowledge construction based on experimental testing of hypotheses "
(Frostburg State University's Department of Chemistry )