Which of the following is not a step in the scientific method?

Question: Which of the following is not a step in the scientific method?

The scientific method is a systematic process of inquiry that aims to test hypotheses and discover new knowledge. The basic steps of the scientific method are:

- Observation: Collecting data or evidence about a phenomenon of interest.

- Question: Formulating a specific and testable question based on the observation.

- Hypothesis: Proposing a tentative explanation or prediction for the question.

- Experiment: Designing and conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis.

- Analysis: Analyzing and interpreting the results of the experiment.

- Conclusion: Drawing a conclusion based on the analysis and comparing it with the hypothesis.

- Reviewing literature: This is not a step in the scientific method, but rather a preparatory activity that helps to contextualize the observation and question, and to avoid duplicating existing research. Reviewing literature can also help to refine the hypothesis and design the experiment, but it is not a mandatory or sequential step in the scientific method.