Which of the following is the first step a researcher should take before experimentation begins? A. Select laboratory equipment.
B. Generate a hypothesis.
C. Design experimental procedures.
D. Apply the units of the SI system.

. Generate a hypothesis.

Explanation:

Normally the first step to take  before any experimental procedures is the to make observations,This is necessary before experimental designs and hypothesis can occur.It is important because certain intriguing phenomenon must be unravel.

Later on some questions as to why/how ,or when this observation occur should be next.This is important to find out if there is any clues to the subject under investigation by previous researchers which may be useful to unravel  more facts about the questions.

Note;In most cases  formulation of questions  is listed  first before observation.However, in reality the two occurs simultaneously,because it may be the observation that promoted questions.

When an educated guess is needed to explain the phenomenon observed,hypothesis must be set up. The  evidences available must be able to support the hypothesis Therefore these evidences must be  testable ,to prove the hypothesis beyond doubt.

Experimental set up  should be designed to test the hypothesis,and to confirm its feasibility.This involved the factor being  manipulated (independent variable) and the factor which varies with the independent variable the dependent variable.Certain data are obtained,and collated.

Theses data are analysed to find out the relationships,And therefore  to find out how they varies with the independent variables.

Conclusion is the last step,where a submission is reached if the data support the hypothesis,which may provide explanation to the phenomenon.

Based on this the sequence should be 1.Research questions 2.Observation 3.Hypothesis 4.set up experimental design and data collation 5. Data analysis 6,conclusion.

However, from the options given the nearest to the first  step in absence of  observation and research questions is hypothesis.Normally, if   a research question and observation were there,this will be chosen as third.But,in absence,this can be taken as first

b. to discover aspects of the natural world.

hopefully i .