Identifying a problem in research is crucial because it serves as the foundation that guides every step of the study. It brings clarity and focus, ensuring your work addresses a relevant issue rather than collecting random data. A clearly defined problem helps shape your questions, methodology, and the significance of your findings.
Answer:The first step a scientist takes when beginning an investigation is typically:## ObservationObservation involves noticing something, collecting data, and gathering information about the phenomenon or problem of interest. This step helps scientists identify patterns, anomalies, or areas that require further investigation.By making observations, scientists can:- Identify research questions or problems to investigate- Gather initial data and information- Develop hypotheses or theories to testObservation is a crucial step in the scientific method, as it lays the foundation for the entire investigation.