What is the first step in the scientific method used in sociology for hypothesis formulation?

The first step in the scientific method used in sociology for hypothesis formulation is to observe and identify a social phenomenon or problem that interests you. This means looking at the world around you and noticing patterns, behaviors, or issues that seem important or puzzling. For example, you might observe that many teenagers are using social media more than ever, and you wonder how this affects their relationships. By focusing on this observation, you can develop a question, such as, "Does increased social media use lead to weaker friendships among teenagers? " This question will help guide your research and lead to forming a hypothesis based on your observations.